TMZ Sports - Page 50

Kristaps Porzingis can't play basketball right now ... but that doesn't mean he ain't havin' fun -- 'cause the Knicks superstar just hit up an NYC party with Ivan Drago!!!

Dolph Lundgren was out at Mr. Chow Tribeca -- celebrating the upcoming release of "Creed II" -- so the Unicorn put his ACL rehab on hold and popped by to join the party.

Why?? We're told Kristaps -- whose nickname used to be "Young Drago" -- is a HUGE fan of the 'Rocky' villain, and always wanted to meet him.

The first interaction between the two at the Haute Living and Zenith Watches bash was pretty great ... K.P. towered over the 6-foot-5 actor -- and, at one point, Dolph just had to ask, "How tall are you, man?!"

Of course ... Kristaps measures in at 7-foot-3 -- only about a foot and a half taller than Drago's most famous opponent, Sylvester Stallone.

So ... it all begs the question -- WHO YA GOT IN THIS FIGHT?!

11:00 AM PT -- Urban Meyer says Ohio State is looking into legal action following McMurphy's story on Trevon Grimes.

OSU also released a statement on Tuesday ... saying "The Ohio State University unequivocally and vehemently disputes the unfounded allegations by Brett McMurphy. Any allegations of racism are outrageous and false."

"The university told McMurphy that we have found no evidence to support these allegations."

Ex-Ohio State coach Zach Smith is calling B.S. on reports of a "racially charged" altercation with a receiver at a 2017 practice ... and several players who witnessed the incident have his back.

'Stadium's' Brett McMurphy is reporting the incident between Zach Smith and former Buckeyes receiver Trevon Grimes that went down at a practice in 2017 ... and claims Urban Meyer tried covering it up.

Smith vehemently refuted the report on Tuesday, saying "Hahahaha hahahahaha - you want to talk about reaching!! Now I’m a racist and got into a fight? You really must be bored Brett."

Of course, McMurphy is the reporter who revealed the domestic violence scandal that later led to Smith's firing and Meyer's 3-game suspension.

"Youre about to lose whatever credibility you had left, if any." Smith added.

McMurphy says Ohio State confirmed an "interaction" between Smith and Grimes ... but denied any racial slur.

But, several current players have broken their silence in support of their former coach ... slamming the report and saying it's flat-out untrue.

"I witness the whole altercation and this didn’t happen," senior Johnnie Dixon tweeted. "You think a group of African American young men will sit there and let something like this happen? Say what you want but this isn’t true at all."

Senior Parris Campbell added, "There’s no way that anyone would believe this. NO WAY. This lie is just out of hand. I was present during the entire altercation and what’s said in this article NEVER HAPPENED."

"I can guarantee it. Crazy how social media gives people platforms just to spread nonsense."

Grimes later transferred to Florida.

"We all know why Trevon left OSU.. or that’s what he made it seem like, in all honesty OSU was prolly just to tough for the kid," Austin Mack tweeted.

Sorry, Redskins fans ... Marcellus Wiley ain't giving props to Washington for its 1st place start ... telling TMZ Sports they've only got a 6-3 record 'cause the NFC East sucks!!

"Man, I hate to be that guy," the ex-NFL star says ... "But, it's a suppressed division. We know that."

The Eagles and Cowboys are 4-5 and the Giants are 2-7 ... and Wiley seems to think that's the only reason the 'Skins are looking at a playoff spot right now.

"Dallas is trying to figure out which way is up. Obviously, Philadelphia is having a hangover from last year. And, you look at the Giants, man, Eli at the quarterback position not living up to the standard."

"Yeah, they're taking an advantage of a suppressed division right now."

The good news for Washington? Marcellus ain't giving much of a chance for the rest of the teams in the East to catch the 'Skins -- laughing at the idea that the Giants can run the table down the stretch.

9:30 AM PT -- LeVert reportedly dislocated his right foot and ankle in the incident ... and he can return later this season.

The NBA community is rallying behind Caris LeVert after his sickening leg injury on Monday ... with superstars like LeBron James and Paul George showing support for the Brooklyn Nets player.

LeVert went up for a block toward the end of the 2nd quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves ... and he landed awkwardly on his right leg, which appeared to snap.

If you haven't seen the video already, it should probably stay that way. If you DO want to see it ... we warned you ... it's painfully gruesome.

"Young Fella prayers to you!" LeBron tweeted Monday night. "Speedy recovery and even stronger impact coming soon for sure!"

George added ... "God bless you youngin tough road ahead but we’re here to help lift you @CarisLeVert ! You know how to reach me"

"Prayers for Caris LeVert," Kevin Love tweeted. "Hate to see this. Having a hell of a season. Keep strong"

Gordon Hayward -- who also suffered a nasty injury last season -- offered his assistance in recovery ... saying "Best wishes and prayers to @CarisLeVert on a speedy recovery! The journey back is hard, but you’ll be stronger in the end. Please reach out if you need anything!"

FYI -- 24-year-old LeVert was having his best NBA season by far ... averaging 18 points a game.

LeVert was stretchered off the court and rushed to a Minneapolis hospital for treatment. Players in the game were so shaken up by the injury that some were reportedly crying in the locker room at halftime.

Chris Paul shared his sympathy, saying, "Prayers out to @CarisLeVert!!! Been watchin him play this season and I’ve loved every bit of it! Hate to see him get injured."

11/13 9:30 AM PT -- LeVert reportedly dislocated his right foot and ankle in the incident ... and he can return later this season.

Brooklyn Nets star Caris LeVert suffered a nasty leg injury Monday night that was reminiscent of the injury that sidelined Gordon Hayward for an entire season.

LeVert landed awkwardly after going up to attempt to block the Timberwolves' Josh Okogie and appears to have snapped his ankle. You can see how much pain he's in right away as he covers his face. LeVert had to be taken off the court by stretcher.

The injury is eerily similar to the one Hayward suffered last year during his debut with the Celtics. Hayward also landed awkwardly on his ankle, and had to undergo surgery to recover.

Yair Rodriguez might've handed out the greatest knockout in UFC history ... but he didn't escape unscathed ... 'cause dude's whole body is jacked up -- from head to toe.

Literally.

Rodriguez -- fresh off his INSANE last second KO of the "Korean Zombie" -- joined the guys on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs nightly on FS1) ... and showed off his battle scars.

"My nose is broken, and both my eyes are purple" ... Rodriguez told us.

But, the worst part?

His freakin' feet are ridiculously swollen ... so bad that he can't even move around on his own.

"I cannot walk without crutches, right now."

The fight was unbelievably entertaining ... and fans are already calling for a rematch.

So, is Yair down for another scrap?

"I'm always trying to move forward on my life and my career. I don't know what's coming next. Korean Zombie is a fighter I really respect a lot. I have tons of respect for him, of course."

"If I ever have to fight him again, it'll still be an honor for me to fight him."

Cristiano Ronaldo took his longtime girlfriend and son out to catch a tennis match Monday -- sittin' in plain sight so everybody could see he ain't the evil monster he's been accused of bein'.

CR7, Georgina Rodriguez and Cristiano Jr. hit up the Novak Djokovic-John Isner match at the ATP Finals at O2 Arena in London ... and the soccer superstar made sure he was front and center.

He playfully patted his son's head ... paid attention to his longtime girlfriend -- and looked nothing like a man who's been accused of rape.

Of course ... CR7 is, in fact, facing those allegations -- with a woman suing the soccer legend, saying he sexually assaulted her in his penthouse suite back in 2009.

But, Cristiano's vehemently denied those allegations ... calling them "fake news" and saying, "Rape is an abominable crime that goes against everything that I am and believe in."

YG is so happy with the way Todd Gurley and the Rams are playing this season ... dude just had to say thanks to the running back -- WITH A DOPE NEW CHAIN!!!

The superstar rapper is a huge L.A. Rams fan -- and with the team off to one of its best starts in franchise history ... YG hit up Jason Of Beverly Hills to get the squad's best player a present.

We're told YG had 4 "4 Hunnid" pendants made ... with nearly 3 carats of flawless white diamond in each -- and gifted one of them to Gurley before L.A.'s win over the Seahawks on Sunday.

Gurley was pretty stoked about the present ... writing on his IG with a pic of the new chain -- "thank you brother."

Unclear how much YG dropped on the gift ... but Jason tells us, "He's a really great friend. I need to have more friends like that."

Alex Rodriguez is shedding one of the last remnants of his bachelor life now that he's shacking up with Jennifer Lopez in NYC.

A-Rod's listed his Hollywood Hills spread for a cool $6.5 million after buying it from Meryl Streep in 2014 for $4.8 mil. It's a beaut too -- the two-story architectural wonder features a floor-to-ceiling fireplace, a chef's kitchen and a courtyard-style backyard with a pool and spa.

The property is known as the Honnold & Rex Research House, as it was built in the '50s as part of an architectural research program that encouraged inventive designs. Translation: It's pretty unique and cool-looking.

Luckily for the ex-MLB star, he's got a sweet new pad with his bae in Manhattan -- a swanky high-rise condo they swooped up earlier this year for a little over $15 mil.

Several Pepperdine men's basketball players tell TMZ Sports they feared for their lives as the wildfires raged near their campus this weekend.

Flames have ravaged Southern California the past few days ... and when they crept up on Pepperdine's Malibu campus Friday ... students were forced to flee to the school's gym before they ultimately evacuated.

Pepperdine guard Jade' Smith says it was one of the most frightening things he's ever experienced.

"It was wild. It was crazy. It was honestly one of the scariest experiences of my life," Smith says.

"There was a point where they started to come around and it felt like they surrounded us almost."

The Waves postponed their game against CSU Northridge on Saturday ... and were thankful just to be safe when we got them ahead of their upcoming road trip at LAX on Monday.

"We were stuck in the gym and we saw the fire coming over the hill to the campus," forward Kessler Edwards says.

"It almost got some of the buildings."

Pepperdine is headed to Colorado for a game Tuesday before it hits the Bahamas for a tourney later this week ... and ya gotta hear how happy forward Kameron Edwards is to be leaving the fires behind.

Jimmy Butler was personally greeted by his new Sixers GM, Elton Brand, and a private jet on his way outta Minnesota on Monday ... and TMZ Sports has the pics!!

The ex-Timberwolves forward was just shipped to Philadelphia in a blockbuster trade that sent Dario Saric and Robert Covington to Minnesota ... and Brand clearly couldn't wait to meet his newest superstar.

The Sixers are in Miami to play the Heat Monday night ... but we're told the guys are going straight to Philly. Butler's expected to suit up for the Sixers on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.

It's Brand's first huge trade in his new position as general manager after his own 17-year NBA career ... and judging by the pics, he's happy with the results.

Dez Bryant's done for the season ... but the Broncos would be stoked to have him on their squad next year -- so says one of Denver's star D-lineman.

TMZ Sports got Domata Peko out in Bev Hills enjoying the Broncos' bye week -- when we had to ask, does he think Dez can come back from the torn Achilles he suffered last week?

Peko said of course ... saying one of his ex-Bengals teammates proves that.

"Achilles are tough, man. One of my homies, though, his name is Leon Hall and he had two Achilles and he's still playing. So, yeah, man, he can come back."

Domata then told us he'd love to be teammates with Dez in 2019 -- if the wideout wants to come to Mile High.

"We'll take whoever, anybody, to help us win!"

One problem? Bryant might be a wanted man -- the Saints seemed fired up about the WR, despite only having him on the roster for two days, and say they want him back in 2019.

But first, Dez has gotta get healthy -- something Peko thinks the 30-year-old ex-superstar can easily do.

Don't start the championship parade planning in L.A. yet ... Magic Johnson tells TMZ Sports SLOW YOUR ROLL on crowning the Lakers!!!

"It's still early," the LakeShow honcho says.

Of course ... Magic is one of very few people feelin' that way in L.A. -- 'cause the Lakers have won 5 of their last 6 and 3 in a row ... including a Sunday night thriller over the Hawks.

But, MJ -- just a couple days after not exactly giving Luke Walton the strongest vote of confidence -- clearly needs to see more before he gets all fired up.

BTW ... how did Magic leave Staples Center after the game Sunday?

Nationals superstar Trea Turner's offseason is already off to a great start ... dude just tied the knot with his smokin' hot ex-gymnast star fiancee!!!

The 25-year-old shortstop met Kristen Harabedian at NC State years ago ... when he was tearin' up the baseball diamond and she was killin' it on the mat.

The two dated forever ... but decided to make things offish on Saturday ... with a dope wedding at the National Museum of Women in the Arts in D.C.

A bunch of Trea's Nats teammates were reportedly there ... including Bryce Harper!!!

The icing on the cake to the whole weekend? Turner just found out he made the MLB's Super Two cutoff -- which means he's all set for a raise of nearly $5 MILLION next season!!!

Congrats!!

Kevin Hart is one of the world's highest-earning celebs with nearly $60 million in 2018 ... but even he has to pull Instagram hubby duties.

The comedian and his wife, Eniko, hit up a luxury resort in Punta Mita, Mexico ... where their star-studded party included the likes of Ludacris and IndyCar driver Marco Andretti. But, it's pretty damn clear the show belonged to Eniko.

Kevin made sure he got all the right angles ... a responsibility every boyfriend/husband ought to take seriously while on vacay with bae. For Kevin and Eniko, this vacation's come full circle.

Remember, the couple hit up Cabo in July 2017 ... when she was about 6 months pregnant with their first child. She later gave birth to Kenzo Kash, whose first birthday is next week.

Aaron Rodgers was some 2,000 miles away from California Sunday ... but he made sure to let wildfire victims know he was behind them, rockin' a Santa Monica Fire Dept. hat and saying his heart goes out to those affected.

Fires have torn through both Northern and Southern California since late last week ... and the Packers superstar has felt the effects all the way in Wisconsin.

Rodgers grew up in Chico, Calif., played ball at Butte C.C. and Cal, and calls Southern California his "adopted home" ... so the hat choice only felt right for the star QB.

"I was thinking at my house today, this was the only kind of paraphernalia that I have that could represent my support for those folks who are fighting the fires."

"Hearing the stories of people running down the highways to avoid the fire. Knowing that people burned alive in their cars, it's heartbreaking for sure. And then, you have a fire in my adopted home of Southern California. So it's been a tough week for sure."

Meanwhile ... the L.A. Rams are auctioning off game-used jerseys to help support victims of the fire -- and across the league teams held moments of silence for victims.