NBA

Lakers fans still reeling over the Lebron James "Second Decision" madness now have an even bigger headache to deal with ... the King has been ruled out for the start of the NBA season with an injury.

The team revealed on Thursday James will be sidelined for the next three to four weeks as he deals with sciatica -- an issue that causes pain, numbness and tingling in the lower back and down the leg.

The recovery timeline means the 40-year-old forward will miss L.A.'s home-opener vs. Steph Curry's Warriors on Oct. 21. It likely means he's out for the Lakers' tilt with Anthony Edwards' Timberwolves on Oct. 24 as well.

Boston Celtics legend Paul Pierce was arrested on Tuesday, the California Highway Patrol said.

According to the CHP, authorities found Pierce asleep while he was in the driver's seat of his Range Rover as it was in the middle of traffic on the 101 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley.

Cops say lanes had been closed on the highway while a crash investigation occurred ... and the sleeping Pierce was discovered following their reopening at around 11:35 PM.

A Los Angeles Lakers fan is suing LeBron James ... alleging the NBA superstar duped him with "The Second Decision" -- and cost him hundreds of dollars.

Andrew Garcia, a 29-year-old, lifelong Lakers fan, filed the lawsuit in a small claims court in Los Angeles County on Wednesday ... claiming James owes him $865.66 after he says the hooper seemingly intimated he was about to announce his retirement.

Garcia tells TMZ Sports ... when James on Monday teased he had a big choice to make -- he figured The King meant he was hanging up his sneakers, so he raced to Ticketmaster to score some seats to what would be LBJ's last-ever matchup with his former team, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

LeBron James sent fans into a frenzy by teasing a retirement announcement only for it to be an ad ... and JJ Redick can't believe people thought it was anything else -- telling reporters, "You guys are idiots."

Redick was meeting with the media when he was asked about James' "Second Decision" rollout ... which was a big promotion for Hennessy.

While fans were scrambling to scoop up tickets to catch King James in action one last time, the Lakers head coach thought it was obvious.

LeBron James duped his fans into thinking he was going to make a major announcement on his basketball career this week ... and as it turns out, it was just another ad.

The King (of crying wolf) had fans freaking out on Monday ... when he teased "the decision of all decisions" was coming in a matter of hours -- even recreating the infamous Boys and Girls Club scene he used to announce his move from the Cleveland Cavaliers to Miami Heat back in 2010 for the stunt.

But no, the four-time champion didn't say he's retiring after his NBA-record 23rd season ... he's just promoting booze.

After almost five years as a ring girl for Jake Paul's Most Valuable Promotions, Kourtney Hartenstein is hanging up her glittery two-piece 'fits for good ... telling TMZ Sports her main focus now is more time with her family.

Hartenstein -- who is married to NBA champion Isaiah Hartenstein -- opened up about her future this week ... after initially sharing her decision with her 654k followers on Instagram.

"I need to focus on family," the 34-year-old said. "My husband has a second championship ring on his mind and that starts this week, so we've got a lot going."

Kenny "The Jet" Smith just added another highlight to his reel -- the "Inside the NBA" host popped the question to his girlfriend -- and she said YES!

The NBA champ's new fiancée, Tia Jurcic, revealed the engagement on her Instagram ... showing off a huge diamond ring on that finger with a beautiful beach view serving as the backdrop.

"YES to you forever! 🤎," Jurcic wrote on Thursday.

Rudy Gobert's ex, Julia Bonilla, penned an emotional message to her future child on Wednesday ... saying despite their family's drama, "You are proof that even after betrayal, after storms, after pain, life can still grow in light."

Bonilla posted the note on Instagram alongside a black and white photo exposing her growing belly ... making it clear no matter where things stand between mom and dad, the baby was "wanted," "chosen," and "meant to be."

TMZ Sports broke the story back in May ... our sources said Gobert abruptly ended things with Bonilla shortly after they learned they would be welcoming a second child together, telling her to move out of their home in the process.

Brittany Renner wants a court to increase P.J. Washington's child support payments to her -- saying in a new filing this week $5,500 a month is just not enough.

Renner made her case to the judge in documents that TMZ Sports has obtained ... asking for "at least $35,000" a month from Washington in an effort to raise their 4-year-old son in a manner suitable to a kid with such a rich father.

She claimed in the docs when she and the NBA player first agreed on the $5.5K number, they lived together in North Carolina -- but things have drastically changed since she and the toddler moved to California late last year.

Shaquille O'Neal is denying he's romantically involved with OnlyFans model Sophie Rain ... claiming he doesn't like to date young women -- but older moms are most certainly on the table.

The Big Aristotle recently ran into the internet star at her 21st birthday bash ... an appearance that many speculated wasn't the coincidence Sophie made it out to be.

After the two posed for a pic together, the rumors went wild that they were an item ... but Shaq put an end to all the chatter in the comment section of a video breaking down the matter.

Liz Cambage is setting the record straight on her love life -- telling TMZ Sports she's not dating Kevin Durant ... this after an Instagram post had fans convinced the two hoopers were an item.

The former WNBA star -- now an OnlyFans creator and overseas baller -- addressed the buzz at LAX this week ... and while she looked happy as ever posing with the Houston Rockets superstar at a recent Drake concert, she explains it wasn't anything more than some buds enjoying each other's company.

"You think I'm gonna hard launch a relationship shooting a jump shot at a Drake concert?!" Cambage laughed.

3:54 PM PT -- LeBron had one final gift for Kai … a haircut. He shaved off his signature braids.

Kai Cenat saved the best celebrity guest for last for "Mafiathon 3" ... landing none other than LeBron James to make an appearance -- and the future Hall of Famer came bearing gifts!!

The Los Angeles Lakers superstar and his daughter, Zhuri, pulled up to Cenat's livestream on Tuesday ... in the final hours of his 24/7 broadcast that's been going on for 30 days.

Cenat and LBJ chopped it up for the chat ... and outta nowhere, James surprised Kai with a Lakers-colored Audemars Piguet watch!!

New court documents TMZ Sports has obtained show NBA star P.J. Washington has been ordered to pay Brittany Renner $5,500 a month in child support.

According to the docs, Washington was required to make the payments as part of a consent order issued in Mecklenburg County, N.C., back in November 2024.

The docs state Washington additionally was ordered to pay a lump sum of $130,000 to satisfy "any and all existing child support accruing prior to the entry of this consent order, as well as for [Renner's] attorney's fees."

LeBron James claims he isn't going to continue his NBA career just to have the chance to play with both of his sons -- the Lakers superstar revealed his retirement plans don't revolve around Bryce.

The 21-time All-Star discussed his basketball future at media day a few minutes ago ... when a reporter asked James if he'd hold out on retiring to have a chance to play alongside his second-oldest kid, who's gearing up for his freshman year with the University of Arizona basketball team this fall.

"I'm not sitting here ... no, I'm not waiting on Bryce," James laughed.

Donovan Mitchell is opening up on his recent engagement to Coco Jones ... telling reporters being able to call the singer his future wife is a true "blessing."

The Cleveland Cavaliers superstar was asked about his now-fiancée during team media day ... and he couldn't help but gush about what makes her such a special partner.

"Man, that’s my dog. I love her to death. She’s amazing. She’s an amazing human being. She brings me peace."

Spencer Dinwiddie's time in Calabasas is coming to an end -- the former Laker just listed his mansion for a little over $6 million after signing with the Hornets this offseason.

The 6'5" guard put his house back on the market this week with Josh & Matthew Altman of Douglas Elliman ... a 7,269 square foot property that's close to the Malibu coast and has breathtaking views of the Santa Monica mountains.

The 2021 custom-built property has it all ... an open layout with wide oak hardwood floors, Italian fixtures, balconies, two elegant staircases and a three-car garage.