NBA

Minnesota Timberwolves star Malik Beasley was just sentenced to 120 days in jail -- and banned from owning guns for life -- this after he pled guilty to felony threats for pointing a firearm at a family during a bizarre incident back in September.

Prosecutors in Hennepin County, Minn. say Beasley's Plymouth house was accidentally put on a "Parade of Homes" list in the fall -- which is essentially a tourist guide for impressive mansions in the area. The list caused vehicle traffic around Beasley's home to increase -- which really pissed him off, prosecutors say.

Officials say on Sept. 26, Beasley got so frustrated that he walked toward a visiting car that was near the end of his driveway and pointed a gun at it. Prosecutors say he then ordered the family inside the ride to scram.

24-year-old Beasley -- who cops say was also in possession of marijuana at the time -- was later arrested ... and ultimately charged with felony threats of violence and felony drug possession.

At a virtual court hearing back in December, Beasley pled guilty to the threats charge ... and in exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop the drug charge.

At the hearing, Beasley said of his actions, "I was not in my right mind. I’m ready to move on."

Beasley returned to virtual court on Tuesday for sentencing ... and the judge ordered him to spend 120 days at a jail facility known as "The Workhouse" at Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility.

As part of the sentencing, the judge ruled Beasley will NOT have to serve the time during the NBA season ... setting a tentative May 26 date to report to the jail.

The judge also said Beasley could end up being released on electronic home monitoring if COVID-19 precautions force that move.

Beasley was also ordered to complete an anger management program and was hit with a lifetime ban on owning firearms. Beasley was also ordered to not consume any alcohol or drugs, and complete random drug testing.

Prosecutors say Beasley read a statement at the hearing, telling the court, "I am not that person. I humbly apologize for my actions."

In a statement to NBA reporter Shams Charania, Beasley's attorney, Steve Haney, said, "We are very pleased with this outcome that will allow Malik to continue working on becoming a better person and making better choices."

The federal agency tasked with investigating the helicopter crash that killed Kobe and Gianna Bryant, along with 7 others, will announce their findings in a Tuesday meeting -- including the probable cause of the accident.

National Transportation Safety Board will meet virtually Tuesday -- and it will be open to the public, so we'll live stream the whole thing here.

The NTSB has been working on the case ever since the aircraft -- a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter -- crashed in Calabasas on Jan 26, 2020.

As we previously reported, the NTSB initially said preliminary findings showed no outward evidence of engine failure -- and months into the investigation, officials said the pilot may have been disoriented when the aircraft was caught in deep fog.

Autopsy results showed the pilot, Ara Zobayan, was NOT on alcohol or drugs at the time of the crash ... and NTSB investigators said Zobayan’s girlfriend told them he was in great shape before the accident.

The NTSB said in June it found evidence showing Zobayan thought he was ascending over the fog, when in reality, the helicopter was going downward at a high rate of speed.

In addition to revealing the likely cause of the crash, the NTSB is also expected to make flight recommendations for similar aircraft in the hopes of preventing another tragedy.

Along with Kobe and Zobayan, seven others -- including Kobe's daughter, Gianna, and friends Alyssa Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, John Altobelli, Christina Mauser, Payton Chester and Sarah Chester -- perished in the Jan. 26, 2020 crash.

#RIP

Want to see LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Nikola Jokic take on Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid next month??

Apparently, De'Aaron Fox doesn't ... 'cause the Sacramento Kings star ripped the NBA on Wednesday for reportedly trying to put together an All-Star Game this season in the middle of a pandemic.

"If I'm going to be brutally honest," Fox said, "I think it's stupid."

"If we have to wear a mask and do all of this for a regular game, then what's the point of bringing the All-Star Game back?"

The NBA, according to ESPN, is trying to lock in an agreement with the Players Association to hold the annual classic on March 7 in Atlanta.

If safe, it seems like a great idea -- the NBA routinely has the most entertaining All-Star Game of any of the four major sports.

But, Fox -- who has a shot at being selected this year -- clearly would rather not see it ... given all the risks of COVID involved.

"Obviously, money makes the world go round," Fox said. "So, it is what it is."

Fox, though, did say he'd play in the All-Star Game if selected ... but with a smile, he noted, "If you're supposed to be in it, and you're not hurt and you decide not to play, that's a hefty fine."

"So, hell yeah I would play in it."

A super-rare Michael Jordan signed basketball card just sold for over $1.4 MILLION at auction ... SMASHING the previous record price for an MJ card by over $500K!!

The piece is a 1997 Upper Deck Game Jersey Michael Jordan card -- one of only 23 ever produced.

The card is numbered 8/23 -- but more importantly, it features a clear signature and a piece of the actual jersey MJ wore during the legendary 1992 NBA All-Star game!

The card was graded by PSA (one of the top names in authentication and card grading) as a "Near Mint 7" ... and the signature quality was graded a "Near Mint 8."

The card -- which measures 3.5" by 2.5" -- hit the block at Heritage Auctions and after 61 bids, it sold on Feb. 4 for $1.44 MILLION!

The previous record price for a Jordan card was $915K -- also auctioned off by Heritage a few months back -- for the green-shaded 1997 Michael Jordan Metal Universe Precious Metal Gem card.

The price is shocking ... but it's not really surprising. The value of MJ items has EXPLODED since ESPN's series "The Last Dance" aired in 2020.

Everything from Jordan's old Mercedes-Benz to game-worn Nikes to canceled checks (yes, really) have sold for exorbitant prices.

Heritage says the record buyer of the MJ signed jersey card wishes to remain anonymous ... at least for now.

As for the 1992 All-Star game, Jordan was a starter for the Eastern Conference team  (along with Scottie Pippen, Isiah Thomas, Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing) ... scoring 18 points, and dishing out 5 assists.

The '92 ASG was special not only because it was jam-packed with future Hall of Famers ... it also marked the memorable return of Magic Johnson -- who retired after the 1991-1992 season after announcing he had HIV.

Lamar Odom has agreed to fight Aaron Carter in a celebrity boxing match in June, TMZ Sports has learned ... and the training is already underway!

41-year-old Odom will take on the 33-year-old Carter at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City on June 12 in a 3 round exhibition, Celebrity Boxing honcho Damon Feldman tells us.

Besides the age difference ... there's a significant height differential -- Odom is 6'10" and Carter is 6'1".

Odom obviously has a background as a professional athlete -- playing 14 seasons in the NBA.

He nearly died in 2015 from an overdose at a Nevada brothel -- and subsequently suffered several strokes and heart attacks. Some doctors didn't believe he'd fully recover.

Miraculously, Odom beat the odds and returned to the basketball court during a short stint with the BIG3 league in 2019.

Now, he's turning to boxing ... where he hopes to put a beating on Aaron Carter, who's also struggled with addiction. He sought treatment in 2017.

Both men have been busting their asses in the gym and we're told they're taking the fight very seriously ... no one wants to be the next Nate Robinson!

Sure, Aaron might appear to be the underdog -- but Carter tells TMZ Sports he "grew up street fighting" and he's ready for the challenge.

Damon Feldman -- who's been behind a ton of celebrity boxing events over the years -- says this fight has real potential to be the best one yet.

Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards personally reached out to a young boy who tragically lost his family in a house fire ... inspiring the kid with a special message about hope.

12-year-old Taeden Johnson was wounded in the Jan. 27 blaze at the family's mobile home unit in Athens, Georgia. He raced to a neighbor's house at 3 AM to call 911, but emergency responders were unable to save his mom, 9-year-old sister and grandmother. The fire also destroyed all of Taeden's personal possessions.

Edwards -- the #1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- got wind of the story and immediately decided to help out.

Besides playing his college ball in Athens (at the University of Georgia), Edwards also lost both his mom and grandmother to cancer when he was just an 8th grader  -- and he clearly felt a connection to Taeden.

So, he got the kid's phone number and hit him up on FaceTime on Monday so they could talk ... and according to Taeden's mentor Zac Hendrix, the conversation was incredible.

"He just said, ‘Hey, Taeden, look man, I lost my mother, I also lost my grandmother at a young age and look where I’m at now. Never give up," Hendrix told OnlineAthens.com.

Edwards also told Taeden ... "Always give 110% to where you eventually want to go. Just follow your dreams and nothing will stop you from doing that."

The NBA star then instructed the 12-year-old to save his phone number and welcomed him to "reach out any time."

On another positive note ... Taeden has a GoFundMe page that has already racked up more than $209,000 in donations. The proceeds will go toward his college education, clothes and other needs.

Good news ... Miami Heat center Meyers Leonard says his shoulder surgery was a success -- and now he's focused on getting his big ass back on the court!

The 28-year-old suffered an injury to his left shoulder during a January 9 road game against the Washington Wizards. The team described the injury as a "shoulder strain" but obviously it was more serious than that.

Leonard went under the knife on Tuesday -- and posted photos that appear to show him leaving the famous Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in L.A. with a smile on his face.

FYI, Leonard had previously undergone surgery on that same shoulder at Kerlan-Jobe in 2016.

This time, the 7-footer was in good spirits on his way out -- pulling down his COVID mask to smile for a quick pic.

The surgery likely means Meyers' season is over -- and it's unlikely he'll return to the Heat.

Still, Meyers is staying positive ...

"I truly do believe that God gives his toughest battles to his strongest soldiers," Meyers said after the procedure.

"I'm blessed in so many ways and I will come back stronger from this. Thankful for a successful surgery and for everyone’s continued support."

Meyers immediately got support from his famous friends, teammates and even Miami Heat owner Mickey Arison who commented, "Good luck Meyers. Get well soon."

Meyers was a 1st-round pick in the 2012 NBA Draft -- and spent his first 7 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Heat in 2019.

She came. She saw. She got ejected for cussing out LeBron James!!!!

A woman and her husband were removed from the Lakers vs. Hawks game in Atlanta on Monday night for going absolutely nuclear on LeBron from the sideline ... and man, it's insane!!

The woman is Juliana Carlos -- an Instagram model who attended the game with her husband, Chris Carlos.

The couple was sitting courtside -- when the woman claims her husband got into a heated verbal argument with LeBron (which Bron confirmed after the game).

Juliana decided to get involved ... and began screaming, cussing and flipping off James from her insanely expensive seats causing a huge scene!

Worth noting ... the woman was initially wearing a COVID mask, but removed it to yell at LeBron.

In fact, the scene got so wild the refs stopped the game and the woman -- along with her husband and 2 others -- were all ejected from the building.

While she was getting the boot, Juliana flipped on her IG Live and gave her side of the story ... complete with threats and LOTS of F-bombs!!

"So, I'm minding my own business, and Chris has been a Hawks fan forever," Juliana explained ...  "He has this issue with LeBron. I don't have an issue with LeBron. I don't give a f**k about LeBron."

"Anyway, I'm minding my own business, drinking, having fun. All of the sudden, LeBron says something to my husband, and I see this and I stand up. And, I go, 'Don't f***ing talk to my husband.' And, he looks at me and he goes, 'Sit the f**k down, b*tch.'"

"And I go, 'Don't f**king call me a b*tch. You sit the f**k down. Get the f**k out of here. Don't f**king talk to my husband like that.'"

She was FIRED UP!!!!

After the game -- which the Lakers won 107 to 99 -- Bron was asked about the incident.

"At the end of the day, I'm happy fans are back in the building," Bron said with a straight face ... "I miss that interaction. I need that interaction."

As for the couple, Bron thinks booze may have been a factor -- "They might have had a couple drinks, maybe."

"I don't think taking down the mask harmed anybody," Bron added ... "I wasn't close enough to her."

Bron expressed concern for a few of the refs who got close to the woman -- "I hope they're okay. Safety first."

The NBA legend then dropped a tweet -- saying, "Courtside Karen was MAD MAD!!"

She sure was.

He did it ... LaMelo Ball has finally cracked the starting lineup for the Charlotte Hornets!

The 19-year-old -- 3rd overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft -- has been killing it as the 6th man for the Hornets ... averaging 12 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists per game in his first 20 games.

In fact, he's been so impressive, fans -- along with his famous father -- have been calling on the Hornets to move Melo to the Starting 5 ... but the team wanted to play it slow.

But, now with an injury to starting guard Terry Rozier, Melo is getting the nod to start against the Miami Heat for their Monday night matchup in Miami.

Melo's dad, LaVar Ball, has been calling for his kid to start for weeks -- telling TMZ Sports straight-up a few weeks ago ... "My boys are not freakin' role players! They superstars! Let them do what they do!"

Well, opportunity's knockin' ...

The Charlotte Hornets are looking pretty good so far this year -- they're 9 and 11 and in 8th place in the Eastern Conference ... with things lookin' up.

Kendrick Perkins says James Harden was too busy strip club hoppin' to care about the 2012 NBA Finals ... admitting, "We couldn't get that motherf***er to buy a bucket in that motherf***er."

The ex-NBA big man went IN on his former OKC Thunder teammate on Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson's "All The Smoke" podcast recently ... saying everyone brought their "A" game against LeBron James and the Miami Heat Big 3.

... except Harden.

"Man, James ain't give a s*** and you know why," Perk said ... "Motherf***ing King of Diamonds and everything cut a hole in his hands."

Perk points out Harden had no issues during the Western Conference Finals against the Spurs that same year ... 'cause there weren't any outside distractions.

"In San Antonio, you didn't have a damn thing to do," Perkins added. "S***, we got to motherf***ing Miami, it was every-motherf***ing-thing to do. We couldn't get that motherf***ker to buy a bucket in that motherf***er."

The numbers don't lie -- Harden averaged 12.4 points in the 5-game series, after averaging 18.5 per game in the previous round against the Spurs.

Of course, the Heat went on to win it all in Game 5 -- securing LeBron's first championship ... and Harden was later traded to Houston, where he became a strip club legend.

Gordon Hayward is carrying the wise words of Kobe Bryant with him on the court ... with the Charlotte Hornets star honoring the late legend with a touching tribute on his game shoes.

Hayward has been spotted playing in a custom edition of his signature Anta Hayward 2s over the past week -- which feature #24 on the heel & “Remember” across the midfoot.

The laces also include the last two sentences from Kobe’s inspirational message to Hayward after his horrific 2017 leg injury ... which say, "You see the belief within you grow with each mini milestone, and you will come back a better player for it. Best of luck to you on this journey my brother #mambamentality always.”

Kobe and Hayward have been tied together for years -- they even faced off against each other in Bryant's last NBA game, when he dropped 60 points on the then-Utah Jazz star.

In fact, there was even speculation Hayward "let" Bryant reach the feat by intentionally making a lane violation to get his 60th point ... which he's since denied.

"Kobe would have lost respect for me if I gave him something free," Hayward previously said. "That’s what made him so very special!"

Other NBAers have paid homage to the legend to commemorate the 1-year anniversary of his death ... from Joel Embiid to Steph Curry and more.

Kevin Love has found forever love ... he proposed to his model GF, Kate Bock, over the weekend -- and she said yes!!!

Love and Bock shared the news Sunday ... posting adorable pics from just after the NBA star popped the question -- and check out the ring, it's huge!!!

Sources close to the couple tell us ... the proposal went down Saturday night at a private outdoor dining space at Lilia restaurant in Brooklyn.

As for the ring ... we're told it's a vintage diamond cut from the 1930s for Cartier and it’s set in a chic vintage Cartier setting. Kevin worked with a jeweler out of London to get it done.

"'Souls tend to go back to who feels like home,'" Love wrote alongside the engagement announcement on social media. "My fiance. The Joy of My Life."

Bock, who was celebrating her 33rd birthday when Love asked her to marry him, added, "Well, this was the best birthday surprise I could have ever imagined."

"I couldn't be happier to have been asked to be a Love by my love. Heart bursting all day & night."

Bock and 32-year-old Love have been dating for about five years now ... and they've been one of the most precious celeb couples.

The two have gone on all kinds of romantic trips together -- and have even shared a love for a Vizsla dog named Vestry, who's become one of the most famous pups on the internet.

Several NBA stars commented on the couple's engagement Sunday, with Love's former teammate, LeBron James, writing, "Congrats my brother!!!"

Cheers!!!!

Hall of Fame basketball coach John Chaney -- the first African-American coach in college hoops history with 700 wins -- has died, according to multiple reports. He was 89 years old.

Details surrounding his death have not been released.

Chaney was an icon in the game -- especially at Temple University -- and known for his tough coaching approach and willingness to teach his players life lessons outside of the court.

Chaney coached at Temple for 24 years and led the Owls to 17 NCAA tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight five times. At one point, Temple made it to the tournament 12 straight times with Chaney leading the bench.

He was awarded the USBWA National Coach of the year twice (1987, and 1988) ... and finished his astounding career with a 516-253 record as the coach for the Owls.

Chaney coached several players who went on to play in the NBA -- including Eddie Jones and Aaron McKie.

Chaney was enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001.

Cops say a fan in Cleveland heckled LeBron James so aggressively during the Cavs vs. Lakers game Monday night ... they were forced to boot him from the arena in an intense confrontation.

According to a police report, obtained by TMZ Sports, cops claim 49-year-old Joseph Bilgen was holding up offensive shirts and screaming profanity at LeBron and others during the big game.

Of course, with LeBron returning to his home state and playing the Cavs ... emotions were high -- and according to the report, several Cleveland players and employees, including GM Koby Altman, reported the fan to security.

Cops say they were informed the guy had held up shirts with offensive writing on them ... including, "Lebron is a racist," "La B**w J*b," and "Lebron is a narcissist."

Officers say when they confronted Bilgen about the inappropriate shirts and actions ... he became so combative -- security told officers he would have to be removed from the arena.

Bilgen, though, did not go quietly according to the report ... an officer says the man told him to "go f*** yourself" repeatedly, and at one point, even put his hands on the cop.

The report states as Bilgen was leaving, he then held up a shirt that read, "Gloria Goes West. Starring LBJ as king narcissist."

In the report, officers say that when a female security guard took the shirt from him, Bilgen grabbed her arms and struck her in her left side.

Officers say they were eventually able to boot Bilgen from the arena after several more minutes of struggling near the exits. Bilgen, according to Cleveland.com, was NOT arrested.

No charges have been filed against Bilgen, either, per Cleveland.com.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns says he was hit by a drunk driver in Los Angeles before the 2020-21 NBA season ... and he was hospitalized.

The 25-year-old went public about the incident Thursday night during a social media Q&A with fans ... when he was asked how he's stayed strong after overcoming so much over the past few years.

Of course, KAT has been through a lot ... especially when it comes to COVID. He lost his mother to the virus back in April -- and several other family members have died since.

Also, KAT tested positive for COVID earlier this month -- but seems to be doing okay.

Towns gave a ton of credit to his girlfriend Jordyn Woods -- saying she's been there for him through it all ... including a car accident nobody knew about.

"My woman has held me down more than the world knows," Karl-Anthony said ... "From my mother and family members dying (1 on her bday in Cabo), getting hit by a drunk driver (was 2pm in the afternoon FYI) in LA this off-season and staying with me in the hospital for the night and helping me in rehab."

He also credited Jordyn for helping him through his current stint with COVID.

"My love for her knows no bounds and I would be remiss if I don't acknowledge the power a good woman can have in your life."

COVID-sniffing dogs are now a thing in America ... and the pups are getting their first whiff of action at an NBA game in Florida.

The Miami Heat debuted the virus-sniffing dogs at Wednesday's game at AmericanAirlines Arena, with our four-legged friends screening fans before they could be allowed inside the building.

As you can see, a trainer walks a dog down a line of socially-distanced fans under a big tent and the canine takes a big sniff before moving on to the next person. The dogs are taught to sit if they detect the virus, and the process looks quick and efficient.

The dogs are being used because the Heat are opening the arena up to fans for the first time this season, and it's just an added level of virus protocol in addition to a health questionnaire and mask mandate.

As we reported ... the dogs are being trained at nearby Florida International University, and Dr. DeEtta Mills, who is leading the program, told us how the canines could soon be deployed in airports across the country.