TMZ Sports - Page 40

Big praise for Timothée Chalamet from Amar'e Stoudemire -- the former New York star tells TMZ Sports the actor's been such a good Knicks fan, he's ready to dub him "the next Spike Lee!!!"

Chalamet, of course, has put his blue and orange support on full display this spring -- just as Lee has done for years -- attending Knicks games regularly, and even appearing to miss out on The Met Gala to catch one of New York's postseason matchups against the Celtics.

Stoudemire told us Tuesday he's noticed it all -- especially when he saw it up-close at Madison Square Garden during NY's huge Monday night victory over Boston ... and now, he's ready to give Chalamet his flowers.

There's a lot to celebrate in the Ohtani household ... 'cause Shohei's famous pooch, Decoy, has made another trip around the sun ... and the Dodgers superstar commemorated the big birthday with an adorable tribute!!

The three-time MVP -- who has quite the stuffed trophy case -- gave his four-legged friend some hardware of his own ... by gifting him a "Most Valuable Dog" plaque.

Decoy also got flowers and a number two balloon for his little pawty. We didn't see any treats ... but with Ohtani's $700 million contract, we're sure he was able to splurge a bit.

Jayson Tatum's playoff run is over -- the Celtics just announced he had surgery to repair a torn right Achilles.

The Boston forward sustained the injury late in Monday night's loss to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden -- when he went down while trying to leap for a loose ball.

Initially, all of Boston had hoped it wasn't too serious ... but the Cs said Tuesday that Tatum had "successful surgery" on his ruptured right Achilles and will have a lengthy rehab to get back to the floor.

1:50 PM PT -- The Hall of Fame confirmed Rose will be eligible for enshrinement starting in 2027.

"The National Baseball Hall of Fame has always maintained that anyone removed from Baseball's permanently ineligible list will become eligible for Hall of Fame consideration," board chairman Jane Forbes Clark said.

"Major League Baseball’s decision to remove deceased individuals from the permanently ineligible list will allow for the Hall of Fame candidacy of such individuals to now be considered."

The late Pete Rose is no longer banned from baseball -- MLB commissioner Rob Manfred is removing the Cincinnati Reds legend and several other deceased players from the league's permanently ineligible list ... clearing the path for him to potentially finally get his spot in Cooperstown.

The shocking news broke on Tuesday ... with Manfred stating the lifetime ban on athletes will be lifted once they are no longer around.

Rose was banned back in 1989 for betting on games while serving as the Reds' manager.

11:45 AM PT -- The Yankees just placed Oswaldo Cabrera on the IL, listing his injury as "a left ankle fracture."

New York Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera was forced to leave the diamond Monday night inside an ambulance ... after he sustained a gruesome leg injury while sliding into home.

The tough-to-watch scene unfolded in the ninth inning of the Pinstripes' 11-5 victory over the Mariners in Seattle ... when Cabrera was racing to score on an Aaron Judge sacrifice fly.

In an effort to avoid the tag at home, Cabrera moved suddenly, but his left ankle didn't quite catch up with the rest of his body ... and it appeared to snap right on the field.

Bill Belichick was asked yet again about his relationship with Jordon Hudson while at ACC spring meetings on Tuesday ... but unlike his infamous CBS interview, his 24-year-old girlfriend didn't intervene.

The UNC football coach sat down with ESPN for a brief Q&A in Amelia Island, Florida just minutes ago ... and naturally, the conversation shifted from football to his love life.

The eight-time Super Bowl winner was specifically asked about how the hoopla surrounding the pairing in recent days -- like the since-refuted report Hudson was banned from UNC football facilities -- has impacted his Tar Heels team and his ability to coach the guys, if at all.

TMZ Sports has obtained the police body camera video from Kyle Snyder's prostitution sting arrest last week ... and in it, you can see multiple officers confronted the Olympic wrestling star in a hotel room -- all while he was pantsless.

Authorities say the scene played out just after 8:30 PM on May 9 at a Quality Inn and Suites in Columbus, Ohio ... after Snyder had handed over cash to an undercover police agent and requested oral sex.

The Columbus Police Dept. footage shows several cops barged into his room and placed him in custody for engaging in prostitution.

The Knicks game wasn't the only must-see event going down in the Big Apple on Monday -- the Mets also drew some big names for their matchup against Pittsburgh at Citi Field ... including Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models!!

Camille Kostek, Ellie Thumann and Xandra Pohl were in attendance as the Mets began a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The group -- decked out in custom jerseys -- was tapped to throw out the first pitch.

Before doing the honors, they got some work in on the side with a group of players. Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor and Huascar Brazoban helped the ladies warm up their arms before taking the mound.

Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks to their biggest playoff win in decades Monday night ... but celebration aside, the star hoopers expressed concern for Jayson Tatum, after suffering a devastating injury in the game's closing minutes.

The heartwrenching injury happened during the final minutes of the pivotal game at Madison Square Garden ... after 27-year-old Tatum appeared to suffer a non-contact injury to his lower right leg/foot area, with many fearing he tore his Achilles.

Tatum immediately fell to the floor, clutching the area, clearly in a great deal of pain.

Sports Illustrated just announced its four cover models for the 2025 edition of the iconic swimsuit magazine ... and 58-year-old actress Salma Hayek and superstar gymnasts Livvy Dunne and Jordan Chiles lead the charge!!

S.I. Swim editor MJ Day dropped the big news just minutes ago ... revealing Hayek, the social media sensation, Olympic gold medalist and model/entrepreneur Lauren Chan earned the honor for perfectly embodying what the brand is all about.

"These women are why we do what we do," Day said. "These stories we share here and on our platforms are about so much more than what meets the eye. They are about the power of authenticity, the strength of vulnerability and the beauty of living a life that’s unapologetically yours."

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.

Former NBA star Zach Randolph is currently at the center of a police investigation ... after cops say a woman told them he roughed her up during a 2024 incident.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ Sports ... the woman alleged the attack went down in September -- after the two had gotten into an argument at a Los Angeles-area home.

It's not yet clear why the woman waited multiple months to report the claims -- though we're told she did present authorities with photographs of the injuries she said she suffered at the hands of Randolph.

Adarius Taylor -- a seven-year NFL veteran -- was arrested for child abuse in Florida ... TMZ Sports has learned.

According to jail records, 34-year-old Taylor was booked on two charges -- one count of negligent child abuse without bodily harm and one count of soliciting another for prostitution, lewdness or assignation.

He was released on Sunday after posting bond, which was set at $6,000. We've reached out to officials for more information.

While Josh Allen's slated to wed Hailee Steinfeld in just a few weeks, the NFL superstar's ex has clearly been married to an amazing fitness routine -- check out some bikini pics Brittany Williams shared Monday, she looks goooood!!!

Allen's former girlfriend threw up the photos on her Instagram page ... showing off a taut physique to her nearly 150,000 followers.

Williams, wearing a small blue bikini, posed in front of the Pacific Ocean and a few mirrors ... while out in Pismo Beach with the dog she and Josh once owned together.

More details surrounding former Major League Baseball player Scott Sauerbeck's death have been revealed -- the 53-year-old passed away of complications from the flu.

TMZ Sports obtained the autopsy report from the District 12 Medical Examiner's Office in Florida ... which listed "sequela of acute influenza A, including streptococcal pharyngitis" as the official cause of death.

Hypertensive heart disease was listed as a contributory factor ... and his manner of death was natural.