NBA

The Celtics and Knicks series is shaping up to be an exciting one -- and, it brought out some of the biggest stars in the world to Madison Square Garden.

Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals took place Saturday in New York City ... and, Timothée Chalamet made his presence felt at the arena -- appearing at the game just days after making his red carpet debut with Kylie Jenner in Rome.

Chalamet sat courtside ... blue knicks jacket on -- eyes glued to the action. No Kylie this time, though she has attended basketball games with him in the past.

The Catholic Church has a new Pope, and not only is Leo XIV the first American to occupy the position, he's also a Villanova alum ... and one former star hooper is hoping the Holy Father can find some time to return to campus for a basketball game!

TMZ Sports spoke with NCAA Tourney hero Kris Jenkins shortly after conclave ended ... and we asked him about the Pope's Nova roots.

"These East Lancaster bullies have been creeping out a lot these past couple days," Kris said. "They've been showing sightings in Boston, Massachusetts. Now we're making our way to the head of the Catholic Church."

The Knicks have inspired belief and confidence in their fanbase after going up 2-0 on the Celtics ... but legendary film director and diehard backer Spike Lee believes there’s a more divine reason the New York fans can expect a title this season -- the new Pope!!

Apparently, Spike is all about Leo XIV because Robert Francis Prevost is a Villanova grad. Villanova -- the only Augustinian Catholic university in the United States -- is also the alma mater of three Knicks: Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges.

If you ask Spike -- a regular at Knicks games -- the 'Nova connection is a sign from God his squad is going to win it all this season.

The LeBron James haters are out in full force after the Lakers were abruptly booted from the postseason ... but the King doesn't seem to be fazed one bit -- claiming he's not losing any sleep in his early offseason.

The four-time champion opened up during a chat with Steve Nash on the "Mind The Game" podcast ... when the Hall of Famer asked James about the narratives surrounding the team's early elimination.

Nash asked one of the main questions on everyone's minds -- how did the Lakers lose to the Timberwolves when they have James and Luka Doncic, one of the top players in the league, on the same roster??

The New York Knicks' unexpected 2-0 lead in their playoff series against the Boston Celtics isn't sitting well with the green team's core fan base ... and veins are popping out of temples as a result!!!

On Thursday, Benzino dared all Knicks fans to bet him that his Celtics would prevail in Game 3 ... at Madison Square Garden with their backs against the wall.

Benzino noted how the Knicks haven't won a chip since 1973 and didn't foresee it happening this year ... they're running with the Mets colors, for cryin' out loud.

Paul Pierce really IS the "Truth" -- 'cause the Celtics legend kept his word and started an eight-hour trek to the Fox lot after guaranteeing his old team would beat the Knicks on Wednesday ... and he's documenting the whole journey.

Pierce talked a big game prior to Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals ... saying if the Cs didn't even things up at 1-1, he'd use his legs as transportation to get to work the next day.

"If the Celtics lose Game two at home, I'm walking here tomorrow," Pierce said on "Speak."

"Fifteen miles! I'm walking here! In my robe, no shoes on, barefoot, if the Celtics lose tonight."

The Celtics vs. Knicks action wasn't just limited to inside TD Garden on Wednesday night ... some of their fans got into a wild brawl outside the venue as well -- and a good portion of the scrap was captured on video.

Check it out ... just after New York stunned Boston with another come-from-behind road win, several people clad in blue and orange mixed it up with some C's backers.

A man in a Paul Pierce jersey appeared to get the better of one Knicks fan -- bloodying him with a flurry of punches. Nearby, a Jalen Brunson supporter clearly had his hands full with his rival too.

LeBron James (knee) is officially listed as OUT for Monday's Met Gala.

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar broke the news himself just minutes ago ... stating the ailment he suffered in Game 5 of the first-round matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves has forced him to miss the annual event.

"Unfortunately because of my knee injury I sustained at the end of the season I won't be able to attend the Met Gala in NY tonight as so many people have been asking and congratulating me on!"

Gregg Popovich spoke at length for the first time since his recent medical emergency ... saying he's getting better every day, but not fast enough to continue leading the San Antonio Spurs.

The five-time NBA Finals-winning coach took the podium before Mitch Johnson was introduced as his official replacement on Monday ... and had his two longtime players, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan, by his side.

76-year-old Pop -- who suffered a mild stroke in November and another health scare at a local restaurant last month -- spent the majority of his time thanking those who assisted him over his nearly 30-year tenure on the bench.

Kevin Garnett and his girlfriend were involved in a heated argument late last month, and cops were called to the scene ... but both sides are now saying things never got out of hand.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports ... Garnett's partner, Teare Candelier, dialed 911 just before 2 AM on April 27 to report she and Garnett had been involved in a domestic dispute at their Los Angeles-area residence.

We're told when officers arrived, Garnett had left ... but they nonetheless took a report. They noted Candelier did refuse medical aid after they asked if she needed it.

Jalen Brunson's game-winning shot to send the Knicks to the second round of the NBA playoffs sent New York into a frenzy ... including former star Stephon Marbury -- who went bonkers over the massive victory!!

The Brooklyn native went live on his Instagram for the final few minutes of the Knicks' Game 6 matchup against the Detroit Pistons ... and we're happy he did -- 'cause the reaction was priceless.

Like the rest of New York, Marbury was on Cloud 9 when Brunson hit the go-ahead three-point shot with 4.3 seconds to go ... and he couldn't contain his excitement.

Gregg Popovich is no longer the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs ... as the franchise legend has now pivoted to a front office role with the organization after a string of recent health issues.

The news broke just minutes ago ... with the Spurs stating the 76-year-old five-time champion would become the full-time team president.

The report comes weeks after Popovich's latest health scare at a local restaurant ... which resulted in him being transported to a nearby hospital in an ambulance.

Security cameras captured the moment Alijah Arenas crashed his Cybertruck last week ... with the footage showing the luxury vehicle ramming into a tree before coming to an abrupt stop.

The 18-year-old USC commit was driving back from a workout in the San Fernando Valley when he seemingly lost control of his car ... and veered into a fire hydrant and tree around 4:55 AM.

The Tesla caught fire ... and good Samaritans sprang into action to help remove Alijah from the car.

A$AP Rocky couldn't contain his excitement reacting to Jalen Brunson's KILLER CROSSOVER that put the Knicks into the 2nd Round of the NBA Playoffs -- and took the streets to celebrate!!!

TMZ Hip Hop caught Lord Pretty Flacko out in Harlem catching the game at Melba's restaurant right at the moment his Knicks clinched the win over Detroit ... with a nail-biting game-winner from the Kia Clutch Player of the Year.

The DoorDash-fueled "Crosstown Express" Knicks bus also arrived at the soul food spot, and Rocky and fans took full advantage of the basketball hoop attached to the vehicle!!!

Tyrese Haliburton's Pops is taking a backseat following Tuesday's shocking postgame tiff with Giannis Antetokounmpo ... with the Pacers deciding he will NOT watch future Pacers games in person.

According to ESPN, the team's front office sat down with John Haliburton to address the matter ... and it was determined he would not attend any home or away games "for the foreseeable future."

The report states the team came up with the decision ... and John accepted it.

Gilbert Arenas returned to work on Thursday ... fresh off the great news his basketball star son, Alijah, would complete his recovery from home following his serious Cybertruck crash.

The former Wizards guard resumed his spot on the "Gil's Arena" set alongside Josiah Johnson, Brandon Jennings and Nick Young ... and they got right into it by discussing the Lakers' early exit from the playoffs at the hands of the Timberwolves.

Arenas was in great spirits despite what's been going on with his family ... as he arrived in a Homey D. Clown costume (from Damon Wayans' character in "In Living Color") to honor a promise he made on the series.