New York Knicks

If Diddy needs a couple hours to take his mind off his ongoing criminal trial, he will be allowed to watch the Knicks' pivotal playoff game Friday night, TMZ Sports has learned.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons tells us ... Diddy will have access to a television with basic cable after he heads back to MDC Brooklyn following the conclusion of Friday's court proceedings.

It's, of course, unclear if the 55-year-old will tune in -- he's obviously got a lot bigger things on his mind at the moment -- but he was known to be a Knicks supporter during his time as a free man.

Former Knicks star Chris Childs isn't ready to name Kylie Jenner New York's good-luck charm just yet ... but good news for Timothee Chalamet's girlfriend -- there's a game later Friday that could just sway his mind!!

Jenner, of course, has been spotted alongside her man at Madison Square Garden throughout New York's postseason run this year ... and because the Knicks seemingly win every time she locks in, some have taken to social media to wonder if her KarJenner magic is helping the orange and blue.

Childs, though, wasn't quite on board with that theory just yet ... explaining he's still giving credit to the players on the floor -- for now.

Jaylen Brown grabbed more than just rebounds last night ... he got a handful of Josh Hart's junk, and the Knicks star's wife wasn't a fan of grab, calling it "weird."

The bizarre incident happened during game five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals in Boston. Hart set a screen on the Celtics star, and whether intentionally or not, Brown's hand found its way to Hart's privates, which he then appeared to grab.

Josh wasn't a fan of the cup-check ... shoving Brown away from him, which led to a technical foul being issued to both players.

Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet were in basketball mode Monday night, showing up at the Knicks-Celtics matchup in NYC — with Kylie's sister, Kendall, in tow.

The trio sat courtside watching the Knicks do battle with the Celtics during Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals series at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan. And what a game it was with the Knicks beating the Celtics 121-113, which made Timothee's night.

During each quarter, the actor - who's also a Knicks superfan — was all about rooting on his team, jumping out of his seat at one point and clapping wildly after a Knicks player sank a basket.

Cardi B and Stefon Diggs looked cute and coupley while making their first official public appearance together amid dating rumors ... strolling up to Monday's Knicks vs. Celtics game at New York City's Madison Square Garden hand in hand.

They looked just as smitten inside the famous venue -- the "Wap" hitmaker at one point placed a hand on her rumored beau's thigh ... and was later photographed sweetly caressing his face.

In another pic, Stefon looked cool and confident with his arm wrapped around Cardi ... possibly confirming what fans have been speculating for months -- that she's all his.

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.

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.

Timothée Chalamet had a pretty good reason to let Kylie Jenner fly solo at the Met Gala ... his NBA team was playing an important playoff game, and he had to watch!!!

The actor, who is a big Knicks fan, was nowhere to be found at Monday's Met Gala in New York City ... instead, he was tuning in to watch the Knicks play the Boston Celtics in Game 1 of their series.

Timothée may have made the right call here ... the Knicks won in thrilling fashion, storming back from a 20-point deficit to shock the defending-champion Celtics in overtime, 108-105, to steal home court advantage in the best-of-7 series.

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.

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!!!

Detroit is riding high after snapping its 15-game playoff losing streak against the New York Knicks on Monday ... but former Piston Ben Wallace tells TMZ Sports the current squad isn't a bunch of "Bad Boys" -- they've earned their own identity!!

We caught up with Big Ben out at LAX on Tuesday ... and while he knows there's a ton of basketball left, he believes his old team can pull off the first-round upset with the series tied at 1-1.

"The guy's been playing well," he said. "The guy's playing hard, playing together. We're gonna go out there and just see what happens. I think the guys are excited about being out there, being able to be back in the playoffs. We know anytime getting to the playoffs, anything's possible."

50 Cent and Joe Budden have been going tit for tat for weeks on social media ... but it was all good when they came face-to-face at the Knicks heated playoff game last night!!!

A source close to 50 Cent’s floor seat act tells TMZ Hip Hop the G-Unit general -- along with Fat Joe -- were invited guests of Madison Square Garden and were supporting the NYK.

We’re told 50 had no idea Budden was even at the game until they showed 50 on the Jumbotron -- and saw Joe cheering for him on the big screen.

Josh Hart asked and he received -- Suni Lee returned to Madison Square Garden to watch the Knicks' playoff game ... but unlike her last visit, the Knicks fell short this time around.

Game 2 of New York's first-round series against the Detroit Pistons went down on Monday ... and the stunning six-time Olympic medalist had a courtside seat for the matchup.

Her appearance comes after Hart jokingly pleaded for her return in a convo with Jalen Brunson on their "Roommates Show" podcast ... when he claimed their teammate, OG Anunoby, plays better when she's present -- after all, he had 32 points when she observed his game on April 6.