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The COVID pandemic won't stop the Lakers from celebrating their NBA championship -- but it WILL delay the official victory parade for a bit.

The Lakers dominated the Miami Heat in Game 6 of the NBA Finals on Sunday 106 to 93 -- wrapping up the series 4 to 2. LeBron James, Anthony Davis and company made easy work of Jimmy Butler's squad.

So, let's talk celebration!!!

TMZ Sports has learned ... L.A. County and City officials have been working with team honchos to find a safe way for the team and their legions of fans to have a victory celebration in the wake of their 17th franchise title.

We're told several ideas were kicked around -- including an "in-car" celebration, where a limited number of vehicles would be allowed to pull up to a location to cheer on the champs.

But, a "car party" ultimately didn't feel like the right way to inclusively celebrate an accomplishment of this magnitude -- so, it was scrapped.

Now, we're told everyone involved is set on throwing a massive victory parade -- just like the old days -- but not until County and City officials give the all-clear.

We're told everyone involved is hoping a Lakers victory parade through the streets of L.A. can bring the city together in a big way -- especially with everything Los Angelinos have endured over the past year ... from the COVID shutdowns to the death of Kobe Bryant and more.

Obviously, there's no specific date being targeted at the moment -- it all depends on how the pandemic plays out.

In the meantime, celebrations have already begun inside the NBA Bubble in Orlando -- where players have been allowed to bring in a limited number of family members.

Since everyone in the Bubble was tested prior to entry -- and tested regularly once inside -- there's really no concern about having a massive victory party on the Disney World property ... starting right now!!

Dak Prescott suffered a horrific season-ending injuring Sunday --snapping his ankle in the worst possible way, requiring emergency surgery.

The Dallas Cowboys QB was diagnosed with a compound fracture and dislocation of his right ankle. He was scheduled to undergo emergency surgery Sunday night.

It all went down during the 3rd quarter of the Dallas Cowboys vs. NY Giants game. Dak was tacked by Giants defensive back Logan Ryan and it was obvious he was badly hurt right away.

The Cowboys medical staff rushed over to evaluate him ... and once the camera got a close-up shot, it was clear he'd suffered a break, likely his ankle.

27-year-old Dak was squirming in pain. Medical personnel eventually got him on a cart and wheeled him off the field. The guy was in tears.

Andy Dalton replaced Dak at QB and led the Cowboys to a 37 to 34 victory. Afterward, Dak's close pal, Ezekiel Elliott, summed up the situation this way -- "It sucks."

He continued, "I know we won, it just sucks to lose Dak, our leader. And I was talking to the guys and it's going to take all of us. It's going to take all of us to fill that void that we're going to be missing from #4. Just gotta go out there and play for him."

Dak's brother posted an update from the hospital saying, "God is good, and he’ll be back STRONGER than ever."

"I F***ING guarante3 IT.  Let’s go @dak continue to walk by #FAITH & I’ll make sure you continue to #FIGHT."

Get well soon, man.

Logan Ryan also commented about the injury. It's obvious he feels awful about the situation, but injuries are part of the game.

"First and foremost, the worst thing that happened today was the Dak injury, it's bigger than football," Ryan said.

"I feel terrible, it was a routine football play ... You've got a guy, and I am in a similar position, he is scratching and clawing at one year on his deal to try and get rewarded, try to do the right thing, try to show up to work, try to lead his team, try to get a lucrative contract."

Sources tell us Kristin was smooching comedian Jeff Dye in this video we obtained. Unclear for now if it was a one-off, or if they've been a thing for a minute now -- but either way ... she's in for some laughs if this is, in fact, her new boo thang. Dude's pretty funny.

He's been around in the biz for a while now -- having hosted a couple of MTV shows before and appearing as a finalist on the NBC show, "Last Comic Standing." He's also starred on some reality shows -- notably, as a winner on "Better Late Than Never" and a recurring guest even on some home makeover programs. So yeah, definitely a catch for Kristin.

Kristin Cavallari is back in the game, mackin' on a new guy in the Windy City.

Kristin was at Fulton Market, a bar and restaurant district in Chicago where Kristin has a shop nearby. She was all dressed up and clearly into this guy, though we don't know who he is.

As we reported, Kristin and Jay Cutler are getting divorced ... she announced in April. The divorce has gotten nasty ... Kristin has accused Jay of being controlling and manipulative and saying derogatory things about her to their kids.

Lots of people thought Kristin had hooked up again with ex-boyfriend and "Laguna Beach" alum, Stephen Colletti, back in August ... but we're told they've been friends for years and that all this was ... friends getting together.

NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony says his comeback is just getting started ... telling TMZ Sports he's nowhere close to being done in the league after a brief break.

It's no secret -- Melo was pretty much blackballed by the league until he signed with the Portland Trail Blazers in Nov. 2019 ... going 10 months without a gig.

We spoke with Anthony about his hoops future ... and he says there's no doubt in his mind he'll be suiting up for the Blazers next season.

FYI -- Melo was an important piece for the Blazers in the playoffs ... and even had a postseason-high 27 points in Game 5 before LeBron James and Co. went on to do their thing en route to the NBA Finals.

Melo had 15 points and 6 rebounds in the regular season as well.

Tatum O'Neal was allegedly suicidal at a Los Angeles area home, so cops responded and she was placed on a psychiatric hold ... law enforcement sources tell TMZ.

We’re told police and fire responded last month to a call for a suicidal person, after Tatum allegedly threatened to jump off a balcony.

Our sources say the 'Bad News Bears' star was transported to a local hospital once help arrived, and she was eventually placed on a psychiatric hold for further evaluation.

It's a pretty scary situation, especially considering Tatum's well-documented struggles over the years with addiction.

As you know ... Tatum has battled drug problems after separating from ex-husband John McEnroe way back in 1992.

Tatum, the youngest actress to ever win an Academy Award, eventually got clean and got her life back together, but in 2008 she was arrested for allegedly trying to score drugs. Other than that, she's remained sober by all accounts.

Philly Eagles cornerback Cre'Von LeBlanc says he's started a rap career to help his brother's dream come true ... telling TMZ Sports he wants to give him a platform after he gets out of prison.

26-year-old LeBlanc -- AKA "Strap" -- says what started as a hobby has now turned into something greater ... as he hopes to help his brother who is currently incarcerated.

"I know his passion that he has behind music and I just try to keep it going for him," LeBlanc says. "Because it's hard when you're a felon and you come home and it's hard to get a job, it's hard to do anything."

FYI -- LeBlanc's brother, Craig Jr., is serving a life sentence in a Florida prison after being convicted of attempted murder ... but Cre'Von hopes to reunite with him someday.

Cre'Von explains ... "So, I definitely want to build up the music side up for him. I know that his dream, aspiration and goals and just have something set in stone so when he comes home, he has something to come home to."

LeBlanc says the reaction he's gotten from friends, family and even strangers has been overly positive ... with everyone encouraging him to release more tracks.

Ryan Leaf's domestic battery arrest was NOT substance abuse-related ... so says the ex-NFL QB's attorney, who tells TMZ Sports the former San Diego Charger is still "100% sober."

There had been some concern after 44-year-old Leaf -- who has battled drug and alcohol problems in the past -- had suffered a relapse that led to his arrest on May 22.

But, when we spoke to David Greenberg of the Law Offices of Soda & Greenberg ... he told us that just wasn't the case at all.

"He is 100% totally sober," Greenberg said of Leaf, "and spends a good part of every day over the last five years helping other people remain that way."

In fact, Greenberg says the whole alleged incident was nothing more than a "minor dispute."

"Nobody was injured," Greenberg said. "There was no allegation of any kind of weapon or anything like that."

"This was a couple that had a small minor dispute and it's unfortunate that it ended up in the criminal justice system."

We broke the story ... Leaf was booked on a domestic battery charge at around 2 p.m. on May 22 -- and was formally hit with two misdemeanor charges by prosecutors this week.

But, Leaf cut a plea deal in court Friday ... and ultimately avoided further jail time in the case.

Greenberg said Leaf and his family are happy to have all this now behind them ... adding Ryan is still committed to helping people with substance abuse problems daily.

Aaron Judge's girlfriend just cut a deal with prosecutors and pled guilty to DUI, TMZ Sports has learned ... 8 months after she name-dropped the New York Yankees star during an arrest in Arizona.

You'll recall ... Samantha Bracksieck -- who's had an on-and-off relationship with Judge for years -- was pulled over in Scottsdale back on Feb. 25 after cops say she was driving with her headlights off.

During the stop ... police video showed Bracksieck admitted to a cop she had wine at Mastro's Steakhouse prior to getting behind the wheel.

When officers eventually slapped the cuffs on her for alleged drunk driving ... that's when she became standoffish -- and ultimately brought Judge up to the officers.

"Do you know who my boyfriend is?!" Samantha said at one point during the arrest, before later telling another cop, "My boyfriend is not in a spot where I should be, like, having this happen."

Samantha added during the stop, "He's like a public figure. So, like, me being arrested for, like, having two glasses of wine is not OK."

Despite her bringing the MLB superstar into the situation ... law enforcement still ended up hitting Bracksieck with 5 charges, including extreme DUI -- which is classified as a BAC of .15-.19.

But, court records show Bracksieck cut a deal with prosecutors Wednesday ... agreeing to plead guilty to misdemeanor DUI.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to drop the rest of the charges, including the extreme DUI count.

According to court docs, Bracksieck was sentenced to 10 days in jail, though 9 were suspended and she was given credit for 1 day for time served. So, she won't get any additional time behind bars if she keeps her nose clean.

Bracksieck was also ordered to attend an alcohol abuse screening and complete any treatment recommendations. She was ordered to pay over $2,000 in fines and fees, as well.

Lindsey Vonn is parting ways with her "most prized possessions" from her career ... by auctioning off her iconic ski speed suits ... and it's all for charity!!

The retired skiing superstar's annual fundraiser was put on hold due to COVID-19 ... but that couldn't stop the folks at the Lindsey Vonn Foundation from helping out her cause, so she opened up her closet to raise money instead.

"My jackets, helmets and WINNING RACE SUITS that I never wanted to part ways with will help support young girls and women through our scholarship program for educational and stem programs," Vonn said.

Among the suits include her epic "Captain America" suit, which was made for the U.S. Olympic team in 2017 ... the white and rainbow suit from her 54th World Cup win in 2012 ... and her U.S. Ski team jacket from 2016-2017.

The goal is to raise $200k for the LVF ... which will help provide resources for the youth.

'Memba these Los Angeles Lakers ... In honor of the NBA finals we are going back in time to remember some of the most iconic players to hit the court!

With Lake Show stars like Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and several others ... there are plenty of players that will have you calling a timeout!

Dribble through our gallery of Los Angeles Lakers to spark your memory of all the famous faces that used to play ball on the most well-known team in the league ... and see what the classic athletes look like now!

Earl Thomas and his wife have clearly moved on from their wild April incident ... the NFL superstar just wished her a happy birthday by penning a mushy love note.

Earl and his wife, Nina, were involved in a crazy incident back on April 13 ... one in which Nina was accused of holding the ex-Ravens safety at gunpoint.

The story was insane ... cops say Nina admitted to aiming a loaded gun at the football player's head after she allegedly caught him cheating.

Nina was eventually arrested ... and her case is still playing out in the court system.

But, seems all has been forgiven in the Thomas household ... 'cause the 3-time All-Pro gushed about Nina in a social media post Friday for her 31st birthday.

"Just want to take the time to wish the woman who I can talk to in the middle of the night ... who has accepted who i am through it all and has helped me grow in so many ways," Earl wrote.

"I hope you enjoy what I’ve planned for you bae.... 31 is going to be your best year yet ... I love you wife.. HAPPY 31st Mrs Thomas."

Of course, 31-year-old Earl gave plenty of indications he had been working toward this since the arrest.

Shortly before we broke the story in May, Thomas said he and Nina were "back talking." And, just a few days later, Earl shared a diamond pendant he had received from Nina for his birthday.

For her part, Nina shared her own birthday message Friday about personal growth ... writing on social media, "Happy birthday to me."

"A new year of life to grow, be challenged, succeed & fail but get right back up again, to love & be loved, to healing & breaking generational curses, to be vulnerable & also strong, to be wise yet still give myself grace when I make mistakes, to living in my truth and being unapologetically me."

Incredible update on Delonte West -- Mark Cuban says the ex-NBAer is doing much better on his road to recovery ... sharing a quick snap of him smiling while horseback riding.

As we previously reported, the Dallas Mavericks owner personally picked up West at a Dallas gas station last week ... and vowed to help the 37-year-old get off the streets.

West entered a treatment facility with the help of his mother and Cuban last week ... and the billionaire says the process is just getting started but is going well.

"Ladies & Gentlemen, I present to you, Delonte West," Cuban said on Twitter on Friday. "A long, long, long way to go, but he has taken the first steps and shared these with all of us as a thank you for the love and support."

Sources close to West told us the ex-NBA player entered Phase 1 of his recovery earlier this week -- detox -- and was "roughing it out" while getting all traces of drugs and alcohol out of his system.

West has received an outpouring of support in recent weeks ... with ex-MLB superstar Darryl Strawberry -- who battled his own substance abuse issues -- offering to work together to stay clean when he finishes his treatment.

Donald Trump just WENT OFF on Lebron James -- blasting him as a "nasty" person and a "hater" who's ruining pro basketball.

It was all part of an anti-Black Lives Matter tirade during an appearance Friday on "The Rush Limbaugh Show" ... when Trump blamed the NBA's lagging ratings on the league's pro-BLM efforts.

"The NBA has become so political that nobody cares about it anymore," Trump said.

"I don't even know who's playing in the Finals."

Of course, LeBron's Lakers are in the Finals -- taking on the Miami Heat. Game 5 is set for Friday night.

Trump says he's never met LeBron -- but it's clear he doesn't like him.

"LeBron is a spokesman for the democratic party and a very nasty spokesman," Trump said.

"Because, again, I've done so much for the Black community and people don't wanna see that and he's a great basketball player but people don't wanna see a guy that way. They don't want to see that. We have enough difficulty during the week, you don't wanna sit down watching a basketball game and then watch somebody that hates your guts, okay, He's a hater."

Trump went on to rip LeBron's association with Black Lives Matter, which he calls a Marxist organization.

Trump also says the term "Black Lives Matter" is racist because it sows division between Black people, white people and other races.

LeBron is obviously not a fan of Trump -- he's gone after POTUS several times over the years ... even calling him a clown.

Most recently, LeBron mocked Vice President Mike Pence over the fly that bothered him during the VP debate this week ... comparing Pence to a piece of excrement.

Ex-NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf has been charged with 2 misdemeanors stemming from an alleged domestic violence incident back in May, TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the QB was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery in Palm Springs, CA on May 22.

Details about the specific allegations are still unclear -- but what is clear, prosecutors believe Leaf committed a crime that day.

According to court records, prosecutors are moving forward with 2 charges against Leaf -- 1 count of misdemeanor battery and 1 count of violating the personal liberty of the accuser ... aka false imprisonment (also a misdemeanor).

Both charges carry a maximum 1-year jail sentence.

44-year-old Leaf was listed on his booking sheet as 6'6", 250 pounds with brown hair and blue eyes.

Of course, Leaf was the #2 overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft -- but his career flamed out fast and his life fell apart soon after.

Leaf has been arrested multiple times for things like drug possession and burglary ... but he had sobered up and became a program ambassador for an organization that runs sober houses in multiple cities including L.A. and N.Y.

Before the arrest, Leaf had been covering college football for ESPN.