TMZ Sports - Page 50

JJ Redick couldn't help but sing LeBron James' praises after a 40-point performance ... to the point where he knew his admiration would come off as "glazing."

The Los Angeles Lakers coach spoke at length about King James' impressive outing in the Purple and Gold's 110-102 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday ... saying the 40-year-old simply isn't "normal" -- mentally or physically.

"I believe I saw the other day that he's a billionaire," Redick said. "And he's playing on the second night of a back-to-back at 40 after 22 years with every freakin' record and every accolade."

The New York Yankees shocked the baseball world on Friday -- the team dropped their longstanding facial hair ban ... paving the way for players to grow out their beards!!!

Team owner Hal Steinbrenner made the announcement a few minutes ago, saying he has recently spoken with current and former Yankees regarding the organizational longstanding policy AGAINST beards.

"Ultimately the final decision rests with me, and after great consideration, we will be amending our expectations to our players and uniformed personnel to have well-groomed beards going forward," Hal said.

Donovan Mitchell lost his train of thought during his postgame interview on Thursday ... and it was all thanks to Darius Garland breaking out in song.

The hilarious interaction went down after the Cleveland Cavaliers secured a 110-97 road win over the Brooklyn Nets ... when Spida was trying to weigh in on Evan Mobley's impressive outing -- but Garland had other plans.

During Mitchell's response, Garland was heard in the background jamming to Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR's "Gimme A Hug" .... and it's clear it wasn't the first time he belted out the tune.

Justin Trudeau broke out a big ol' jug of salt and poured it all over the United States' wounds on Thursday night ... dancing on the American hockey team's grave after it lost a heartbreaker to Canada.

In the deciding game of the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, Connor McDavid scored an overtime goal to give the Canadians the championship trophy over USA ... and not long after, Trudeau took to his X page to gloat about the win.

Making reference to Donald Trump's various threats of annexing Canada ... Trudeau smugly wrote, "You can’t take our country -- and you can’t take our game."

The Dodgers' franchise has fielded a team every year for over a century, but Adrian Gonzalez tells TMZ Sports this year's iteration has a chance to be L.A.'s best EVER.

We chopped it up with the former Dodgers All-Star out at LAX this week just before Los Angeles kicked off its first spring training games of the year ... and when we asked him just how good the guys can be in '25, he didn't mince words.

"I know it could be best team of all-time," he said. "For sure."

President Donald Trump is doubling down on plans to build statues for Kobe Bryant and Muhammad Ali ... telling a White House crowd the immortal U.S. athletes would forever be memorialized in the National Garden of American Heroes.

"Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali," POTUS said at a gathering celebrating Black History Month at 1600 Penn. Ave., before announcing Mamba would also be honored.

"And the late Kobe Bryant, people love Kobe Bryant," Trump added before noting close friend and legendary golfer Tiger Woods, who was present at the gathering, would receive a statue at another time.

LaMelo Ball made sure to stop by and see how his dad was doing prior to torching the Lakers on Wednesday ... saying "it was only right" to check in on LaVar after his recent foot amputation.

The Charlotte Hornets star shared the pic on Thursday ... showing him posing with his famous dad -- who was standing with help from a knee scooter -- at what appeared to be their Chino Hills home.

"seen my dawg b4 da game it was only right i love u pops 5L and after," Melo said on Instagram.

NFL general managers looking to have Aaron Rodgers on their team in 2025 better listen up ... he just revealed what he's looking for in his next squad!!!

The soon-to-be free agent quarterback doled out his wish list following a training session in sunny Southern California on Thursday ... explaining that he really only desires two things in his next team.

No. 1, he asked to be wanted. And No. 2, he said he was hopeful to be surrounded by talent. It didn't seem he'd be opposed to some good weather, either.

Ayesha Curry just made it clear that her relationship with Steph is always the top priority -- even when it comes to their kids -- as a healthy partnership sets the tone for a happy home.

The businesswoman and chef shared her mindset in a recent interview with PEOPLE ... when she discussed balancing her 13-year marriage to the Golden State Warriors star and being a mother to four young children.

"I think for us, our relationship always comes first," the 35-year-old said. "Then we're parents."

2:27 PM PT -- A spokesperson for Terrell Suggs tells TMZ Sports ... "Terrell is relieved that he can now put this unfortunate incident behind him. The safety and well-being of his family and himself have always been his top priority, and he is grateful that they are all safe. He appreciates the support and understanding from everyone during this time and he looks forward to moving forward."

Former NFL superstar Terrell Suggs pleaded guilty to a criminal charge on Thursday in his Starbucks threat case, TMZ Sports has learned.

The ex-Baltimore Ravens pass rusher appeared in a Maricopa County, AZ courtroom in a shirt and a tie -- and, after cutting a deal with prosecutors, he submitted a guilty plea to one count of disorderly conduct.

In exchange, officials agreed to drop the second charge of threatening or intimidating they had hit him with over a March 2024 incident at a local Starbucks.

Scary moment during the Dodgers' first spring training game of the season on Thursday ... Bobby Miller was drilled in the forehead by a line drive.

The scene just unfolded during L.A.'s exhibition tilt with the Chicago Cubs out at Camelback Ranch in Arizona ... as Miller was attempting to sneak a curveball by Michael Busch in the game's second inning.

Busch ended up whacking it -- and it beelined at 105.5 MPH right for Miller's face. Unfortunately for the pitcher, he wasn't able to get out of the way in time.

Cozy up to these cool comfy dudes in sweatpants for National Comfy Day! Spring is just around the corner, and we're blessing you with Hollywood's hottest hunks to get you to the homestretch, but can you guess who they are?

Each sexy selfie may look different in size, but do your best and keep your eye on the prize 😜! Swipe through a plethora of hot jocks, singers and reality TV stars and see if you can put up what these shredded studs are puttin' down!

Jason Kelce isn't the only one noticing the impact Taylor Swift has had on Travis -- even Kylie is raving about what the singer's doing for her bro-in-law ... saying she adores how happy she makes him!!

Kylie spoke all about it on the latest episode of her "Not Gonna Lie" podcast ... while clarifying a statement she made on "Call Her Daddy" about not eating Swift's home-cooked meal during a double date.

The soon-to-be mother of four said it wasn't by choice ... as the bun in her oven "overwhelmed me with hormones and suggested if I consume anything other than crackers, then it might be seen again."

Jeremy Roenick is so pumped for the USA vs. Canada 4 Nations championship game, he can barely contain himself ... just hours before the nations face off in what the NHL legend predicts will be the most-watched game in decades!

"I am so pumped up," Roenick told Babcock ... "I can't even be with myself today. I mean, it's literally, it's 7 hours away from game time and I'm pacing around my room, going downstairs, grabbing a coffee, just trying to buy the time."

"I don't think that we have seen energy or excitement for a hockey game like this in two decades," JD added.

When the clock does finally strike 8PM ET, the United States and Canada will battle for the first 4 Nations title ... and JR thinks the game -- a rematch of Saturday's matchup (that was watched by over 5 million people) -- will be a huge hit on television.

"This is a very important game, not just for Canada, not just for us, but for hockey. More people will be watching tonight's game than any game in the last 20 years."

Aside from featuring some of the best and most talented players in the world, the game will also be played as the two countries are involved in a trade tiff... adding to the drama.

"Now it's political. I mean, we have Donald Trump saying Canada should be our 51st state. You have Canada booing the National Anthem for America. And it's personal. It's personal. It's not just sport and hockey. It's personal now. And that just amps up the intensity, amps up the anticipation, and the whole game itself. I think it's fantastic!"

And, Roenick isn't alone.

TMZ Sports also talked to Dan and Chris Powers, hosts of the super popular hockey podcast, the Empty Netters ... and like Jeremy, the guys are PUMPED!

The Powers brothers are pulling big time for America, but Chris says even if our neighbors to the North emerge victorious, America's run was awesome.

"I'm rooting for the USA hard, of course. But even if we lose, I'm so glad we got this game. I'm so, so glad we got this rematch. Everybody wanted it. We get to see it. It's gonna be so much fun tonight, win or lose, man, action out the wazoo, I cannot wait!"

Dan's closing message ... "Play 'Free Bird,' Go USA!"

Ja Morant had more than $1 million worth of items taken from his home back in December ... with the Memphis Grizzlies superstar getting hit in the same burglary sting that affected Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow and more.

Local outlets report the 25-year-old guard was "Professional Athlete 6" named in the federal complaint that was unsealed earlier this week ... which stated valuables were jacked from the crib while Morant was at the FedExForum to play against the Golden State Warriors.

Morant had nine points that night ... with the Grizzlies beating the Dubs, 144-93.

Former Major League Baseball pitcher Scott Sauerbeck has died at the age of 53, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Thursday.

Details surrounding his passing have not been revealed.

Sauerbeck was selected by the New York Mets in the 23rd round of the 1994 draft. After spending time in New York's farm system, Pittsburgh then scooped up the Miami University (Ohio) product as part of the Rule 5 Draft in 1998.