NBA

Former NBA Star Dwight Howard says his wife is a master of lies and manipulation ... and alleges she tricked him into marriage with false claims about her fertility ... at least according to new legal docs obtained by TMZ.

Dwight filed court docs requesting a protective order against Amber -- also known by her stage name Amy Luciani -- claiming they have had a rocky relationship for years … which led to him filing for divorce.

He said Amber started a “crusade of lies and defamation” against him … costing him job opportunities. He said she is also spreading lies about him to his family, friends, and the mothers of his children.

Charles Barkley couldn’t hide his surprise over one familiar face showing up courtside during Game 5 of the NBA Finals ... and he made sure to call it out on live TV.

As "Inside the NBA" was heading to a commercial break on Saturday night, Barkley reacted in real time after cameras cut to actress Sydney Sweeney in the crowd.

"Is that Sydney Sweeney?" Barkley said, sounding genuinely shocked before adding, "Everybody’s a New York Knicks fan now."

Jalen Brunson is making it clear he’s got Monica McNutt’s back after she caught heat from Taylor Swift fans during the NBA Finals ... and he has a message for the Swifties.

Following the Knicks’ championship-clinching Game 5 win, Brunson took a moment to address the controversy surrounding McNutt’s comments about Swift during the Game 4 broadcast.

Brunson, who was seen celebrating with McNutt courtside, bumped into her during the postgame excitement before turning his attention to the online backlash.

A shooting in Times Square left one teenager injured following the Knicks’ Game 5 NBA Finals victory ... with police describing a night of widespread chaos across New York City.

Law enforcement sources tell us the most serious incident unfolded around 43rd Street and Broadway, where a 17-year-old victim was shot during the post-game celebrations.

Authorities say the NYPD, not an ambulance, transported the teen victim to the hospital because emergency vehicles were unable to access the area due to massive crowds that had "completely taken it over."

Officials also confirm a firearm was recovered at the scene, and three people of interest are currently in custody as the investigation continues.

Timothée Chalamet is going viral after making his priorities pretty clear ... he'd take a seat at a New York Knicks game over The Oscars any day.

In the viral video circulating online, the four-time Oscar nominee suggests he’d choose being in the building for a Knicks game over attending the Academy Awards ... a statement that instantly sent sports and entertainment fans a tizzy online.

The moment is already lighting up social media, with users replaying the video and reacting to Chalamet’s enthusiasm for his team and his apparent dogging of Hollywood’s biggest night.

The city that never sleeps didn’t even try to chill Saturday night ... because the moment the Knicks secured a massive Game 5 victory in the NBA Finals, New York City exploded into celebration.

Seconds after the final buzzer, crowds spilled into the streets across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and beyond ... turning sidewalks and intersections into full-blown parties as fans celebrated the series-shifting win.

Car horns blared nonstop, people waved Knicks gear in the air, and impromptu chants echoed through the city as thousands of fans poured outside to mark the historic win.

Cardi B was every Knicks fan Saturday night ... completely losing it as New York locked up a huge Game 5 victory.

The rapper documented the emotional roller coaster on social media, first telling fans not to judge her for where she was watching the game, as she filmed herself from what she said to be her basement -- admitting she was glued to the action from home as the Knicks battled for the win.

Catch the clip ... the second the final buzzer sounded and the Knicks secured the victory, Cardi exploded in celebration -- screaming, yelling and running laps around her house while repeatedly shouting, "Oh my God!" and "We won!"

Still buzzing from the win, Cardi declared, "We outside right now!" before explaining she needed to get glam ASAP because, as she put it, "the streets are calling me" ... in other words, there was no chance she was staying home after that.

James Harden was arrested early Saturday morning and charged with the unlawful carrying of weapons ... TMZ has learned.

The arrest went down in Texas ... and according to authorities, he was caught with a handgun in his vehicle. It was allegedly in plain sight and not being carried in a holster. His charge is a misdemeanor.

A spokesperson for the Houston Police Department tells TMZ ... he was pulled over at 1800 Crawford Street for a traffic violation. He identified himself and was was taken into custody.

Former NBA star Trevor Ariza told the court about his financial situation as part of his legal battle with his ex-wife, Bree Anderson Ariza ... and it's a far cry from what he was making as a player.

TMZ obtained an income and expense declaration filed by Trevor, which states he earns an average of $6,000 per month as a trainer for the disabled … but says he only made around $2,316 last month.

He also claims he earns around $667 per month from investments in Buffalo Wild Wings. He said he has around $50K in cash and bank accounts … and $2.5 million in real property.

3:05 PM PT -- The ticket drama appears over ... Ticketmaster says if you bought a valid Game 5 ticket through its platform, you're getting into the building.

The Spurs' ticket policy has already ticked off Knicks fans ... now it's got New York Attorney General Letitia James breathing down San Antonio's neck.

James jumped into the controversy Saturday, publicly demanding the Spurs ditch the alleged policy that had threatened some out-of-state ticket purchases ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals. The AG even threw in a little hometown pride while making her case.

As TMZ previously reported, some Knicks fans who purchased tickets for Saturday night's game were stunned to learn their orders could be canceled because they lived outside a 150-mile radius of San Antonio. The Spurs later said the restriction wasn't created specifically for the Finals ... and noted it has been in place throughout the postseason.

Taylor Swift's no poser ... so says former New York superstar Amar'e Stoudemire, who tells TMZ Sports the singer's loyalty to the Orange and Blue goes all the way back to his time on the Knicks.

The topic took over social media during Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday ... when Swift, Mariska Hargitay and the HAIM sisters sat courtside for the home team's incredible comeback win.

Some haters -- even Knicks radio talent Monica McNutt -- called BS on Swift earning a spot on the hardwood ... but they clearly didn't do their homework, as there's plenty of evidence connecting her to the organization.

The Spurs say their ticket policy is nothing new ... and has been that way the entire playoffs.

"The 150-mile radius restriction introduced during the Playoffs remains in place throughout the NBA Finals. This allows us to continue prioritizing local fans across San Antonio, Austin and surrounding communities."

Suddenly, there's a "No City Slickers" rule in place for the NBA Finals game 5 ... the San Antonio Spurs are yanking tickets away from Knicks fans hoping to watch their team win its first 'chip in 53 years.

The message is loud and clear on the Ticketmaster page for Spurs tickets ... anyone buying tickets for Saturday night's crucial game will be blocked if ya ain't from 'round these parts. The actual warning reads, "Sales to this event will be restricted to customers residing within a 150-mile radius of Frost Bank Center" ... the Spurs home arena.

Even if you're an out-of-towner who already has tickets, you're likely to get screwed, too. The Ticketmaster warning adds, violators of the rule will have their tickets "canceled without notice" ... but you will get a refund.

Hank Azaria is not happy that Taylor Swift was courtside for the Knicks game ... while he had to watch their insane win from the nosebleeds.

"The Simpsons" voice actor went on "The Dan Le Batard Show" Thursday to complain that the pop star was taking up not one, but several seats on Celebrity Row for Game 4 Wednesday.

He told the show's hosts ... "I'll tell you, the one that bothered me was Taylor Swift." "The Birdcage" star noted that while TS was front row, he was "way up in what they call the Cisco Suites," which he says are practically on the ceiling.

Wu-Tang Clan is being hailed by New York Knicks' fans as the savior of their historic NBA Finals comeback win ... and while RZA wouldn't say they helped the Knicks triumph, he tells TMZ the iconic group brought a spark to a deflated Madison Square Garden.

Here's the deal ... the Knicks were getting destroyed by the San Antonio Spurs at halftime of Game 4 when Wu took the floor for a performance that got the place rockin' and rolling.

RZA tells TMZ ... the group had to dig deep ... because they were also super bummed by the Spurs having their way with their team ... so they changed some lyrics to include the Knicks in their songs to make sure fans got back in the mood ... and the rest is, well, history.

Selena Gomez ain't playin' around when it comes to her friends ... clapping back at haters who thought she insulted Taylor Swift.

Here's the deal ... the "Bluest Flame" singer commented "lol" under an Instagram post showing Taylor celebrating the New York Knicks' comeback win over the San Antonio Spurs in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Taylor was snapped with her pals Alana and Este Haim as well as "Law & Order: SVU" actress Mariska Hargitay.

Internet trolls immediately thought Selena was shading Taylor ... but Selena cleared it all up with a post to her Instagram Story late Thursday evening, writing ... "Woke up and was sent so many texts. I would never insult my friends nor was it an insult."

Win or lose, Midtown Manhattan has been a madhouse after games this postseason ... and former New York Knicks player Quentin Richardson is calling on the passionate fanbase to take a chill pill and have some class.

The scenes outside Madison Square Garden have been pretty wild -- most fans hoot and holler and jump up and down in victory ... but after a Game 3 loss in the Finals, others chose to attack San Antonio Spurs supporters.

On Wednesday night, a riled-up Knicks fan tried to hit Victor Wembanyama with eggs ... and more than a dozen arrests were made for various crimes.