Basketball

3:27 PM -- New Mexico State just announced it's suspending Robert Carpenter indefinitely for his punch Thursday night.

"His actions do not align with the standards we uphold at New Mexico State," the school said in a statement Friday afternoon, "and we believe it is important to ensure that any actions contrary to our principles will not be tolerated."

New Mexico State men's basketball player Robert Carpenter unloaded a haymaker on his opponent's nose during a tiff in a game Thursday night ... and the incident was so brazen, even his own coach is now expecting him to receive a suspension.

The violent play happened with about 12 minutes to go in the first half of the Aggies' tilt with Liberty in Las Cruces ... when Carpenter and Shiloh Robinson got in a tussle while trying to fight for position for a possible rebound.

Broadcast video shows the guys pushed and shoved each other ... before, suddenly, Carpenter uncorked a right hook that landed flush on Robinson's face.

The Liberty forward immediately crumpled to the ground in pain ... and Carpenter was instantly ejected after being issued a flagrant foul 2.

Robinson eventually got up after being tended to by trainers, but he did not return to action.

After the game -- which NMSU ended up winning, 79-73 -- Aggies coach Jason Hooten called Carpenter's actions unacceptable ... and said he anticipated a ban for Carpenter was forthcoming.

"Even if there was something that put Rob in that state of mind to do what he did," Hooten said, "it's still not acceptable."

Hooten did add, though, that he knows Carpenter "feels really bad about what he did."

"There's just no room for that in the game," he said. "At all."

Hooten told media members Carpenter will definitively not play in NMSU's game on Saturday against Jacksonville State ... though his status after that is still unclear.

Carpenter has been one of the Aggies' best players this season, averaging 9.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.

LeBron James is fuming over the Joel Embiid knee injury news -- slamming all the talking heads who criticized the Sixers star for missing games ... and calling on them to admit they were wrong.

The reigning MVP suffered a lateral meniscus injury in his left knee during Philly's game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday ... and it was later announced he'd be sidelined at least through the weekend as the team figures out how to treat the ailment.

29-year-old Embiid had missed multiple games due to soreness in that same knee ... and at the time, several analysts ripped him and questioned the legitimacy behind his reason for sitting.

Now that Embiid is out an undisclosed amount of time and at risk of missing out on MVP contention due to the league's requirements for award eligibility ... LeBron is shining a light on the folks who had it completely wrong.

King James went to social media to voice his frustrations ... saying, "Where are all the media outlets, tv media personalities, hot takes that talked so much 💩 about Joel Embiid about missing those games when he knew what he was dealing with."

"Now he’s out with an injury because of it. Not 1 person has went back on tv or their dumbass podcast and apologized to that MAN!! No accountability 🗑️🗑️🗑️"

Embiid has played in 34 games so far this season ... and if he misses four more contests, he will lose his shot at top league honors -- despite averaging 35 points, 11 rebounds and nearly six assists.

An overzealous Kevin Durant fan was doin' TOO much at the Suns-Nets game ... so much so that Barclays Center security got irritated, forcing the man to put his ass in an arena seat!

The hilarious moment was caught by YES Network cameras and shared on social media Thursday morning, a day after the Phoenix Suns beat the Brooklyn Nets, 136-120, in KD's return to Barclays.

A super excited fan wearing a Durant Nets jersey was seen standing up at his seat, pointing and making heart-hand gestures, presumably in KD's direction.

The moment quickly turned cringy as the guy kept goin' on and on ... until security had enough, confronting the dude, and quickly making him take a seat.

Social media thought it was hilarious ... with one person saying, "My boy said STFU and sit-down!"

Another said, "KD laughin at this one when he sees it."

It's not the first time a fan got a bit overeager with their favorite hooper ... remember last month when someone ran up on LeBron James as he sat on the Lakers bench.

The NBA legend was caught off guard, and responded by physically shoving the guy away before security intervened.

It was all love in Portland for Damian Lillard ... the NBA star got a standing ovation from fans in his first return to the Moda Center since he was traded to the Bucks.

The big show of appreciation came Wednesday night when the Bucks faced the Blazers on their home court, months after Dame was traded from Portland, after 11 seasons, to Milwaukee.

The sold-out crowd got on their feet and cheered for their former guard during player introduction ... and Lillard was overwhelmed with emotions.

"It was a fun game," the 8x All-Star said at his post-game press conference, "I think these types of games, you know, where it's just a lot of meaning, it's a lot of emotion to it."

"That's what tonight was. It was an entertaining game, it was excitement, the fans were into the game for a lot of reasons. That's what the NBA is."

Lillard also got a video tribute on the jumbotron from the Blazers organization.

Speaking of videos, Kevin Durant also made his first return to the Barclay Center since the Nets traded him to the Phoenix Suns ... Brooklyn also gave him a tribute, too.

FYI, Durant seemingly didn't want a video ... saying he didn't deserve one days ahead of the game.

"I was there for three years, four years and we didn’t accomplish anything worth being celebrated for," Durant told The Arizona Republic.

"That’s just how I feel."

Shaquille O'Neal values education, and now the legendary big man is making college substantially more affordable ... as American students continue to fall deeper into debt.

O'Neal, along with 29-year-old business partner Tade Oyerinde, talked to TMZ Sports this week about their company, Campus, and its goal to revolutionize 2-year degrees.

Think of Campus, which Oyerinde, now the Chancellor, founded in 2022 ... as an affordable, online community college where students have an opportunity to earn an associate's degree.

Unlike the typical community college experience, Campus' professors come from some of the most prestigious universities, such as Princeton.

O'Neal, who attended LSU, is investing in Campus, joining other high-profile investors like OpenAI founder Sam Altman and billionaire Michael Bloomberg ... as the men throw their money and time behind the concept.

We asked Shaq why he decided to get involved.

"I like to invest in things that are gonna change people's lives, and this will definitely change a person's life. Everyone to be able to have access to world-class education is very important. When I first met Tade he told me 'DFD. I was like, 'What does that mean? Debt-free degrees,'" O'Neal told Babcock.

Of course, student loan debt is a huge problem ... with U.S. students/graduates owing lenders to the tune of $1.7 TRILLION. Campus says they want to stem the bleeding by providing affordable schooling.

Tuition at Campus clocks in at just over $7k for the year ... which pales in comparison to the average cost for a college education.

Atlanta Hawks fans let D'Angelo Russell know they're not down to trade Dejounte Murray for him ... chanting "We don't want you" at the Lakers guard during Tuesday's game!

The cold-blooded moment happened at the Lakers vs. Hawks game at State Farm Arena in Atlanta ... when Russell walked to the free-throw line after being fouled.

"We don't want you! We don't want you!" a chorus of fans in the upper bowl yelled ... a moment that was captured on video by reporter Dave McMenamin.

The chants stem from rumors the Lakers are shopping DLo ... and the guy they want in return is Murray, an All-Star guard, who agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with the Hawks last July.

Russell -- who is in his second stint with LA -- is averaging 17.1 points and 6.1 assists this season.

Nonetheless, no trade has been agreed to ... so for now the Hawks fans get their wish. But, the Lakers have until the Feb. 8 deadline.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder refused to respond to the trade rumors ... telling reporters at pre-game, "I think I made it clear that I don’t comment on rumors and speculation. It’s not something I get involved with."

Heckling aside, Hawks fans left happy ... their team beat the Lakers, 138-122, thanks in part to an off game from Russell (he only scored 9 points on 3 of 11 shooting).

The San Francisco 49ers are feeling the love from their city after clinching their spot in the Super Bowl ... with the Golden State Warriors hosting the squad for a celebration at Tuesday's game!!

The NFC Champs were treated as such at the Chase Center as the Dubs faced off against the Philadelphia 76ers ... with the home team setting up a nice spread in honor of their big win on Sunday.

All the players like Trent Williams, Ray-Ray McCloud and Chase Young were gifted their very own customized Warriors jerseys ... complete with their names and numbers.

Deebo Samuel was soaking in the hospitality ... which also included a special cake and what appeared to be rosé.

The gang certainly appreciated the gesture ... cheering as they chowed down on some snacks and enjoyed the private gathering.

Stephen Curry also acknowledged the NFC Champs at the game ... sharing a moment with star tight end George Kittle, who was sitting courtside for the 119-107 victory.

In fact, Curry said the Dubs were a bit inspired by the Niners being in the building for the matchup ... and they may have given Golden State the motivation to keep the winning going.

Jason Kidd just shoveled a mountain full of praise on Luka Doncic ... saying the Dallas Mavericks superstar is not only better than Dirk Nowitzki -- but he's approaching Michael Jordan territory as well.

The Mavs head coach -- who won an NBA title with Dirk in 2011 -- made the eyebrow-raising comments on 97.1 The Freak's "The Downbeat" on Tuesday ... explaining he truly believes Doncic is already the best player to ever wear a Dallas uniform.

"He does things that Dirk could never do," Kidd said ... adding, according to ESPN, "He's in the atmosphere of MJ, the best to ever do it, LeBron [James], Kobe [Bryant]."

Doncic has certainly made Kidd's stance one that's hard to argue with recently -- as he's coming off one of the greatest three-game stretches the Association has ever seen.

On Jan. 26 against Atlanta, he scored 73 points. The next day vs. Sacramento, he logged a triple-double with 28 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds. And on Monday night while facing Orlando, he poured in another 45 points with 15 dimes and nine boards.

Kidd said it's all led him to believe the 24-year-old will win several titles in his career.

"He's a winner," Kidd said, "and his ultimate goal is to win a championship. And, he will get there and not just win one, but he will win multiple when it's all said and done."

The Battle of the Sexes: NBA Edition is official -- Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu will be going head-to-head in a three-point shootout during the upcoming All-Star Weekend festivities!!

The NBA just shared the exciting news minutes ago ... saying the highly-anticipated, first-of-its-kind event will go down Feb. 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Curry -- a two-time three-point contest winner and all-time three-point scorer -- will shoot from the NBA arc, while the New York Liberty guard will throw up her attempts from WNBA regulation. Both hoopers will also use their respective league's game balls for the contest.

Of course, this all started after the Golden State Warriors guard challenged Ionescu after she scored 37 points (out of a possible 40) in the WNBA's three-point contest last summer, a record in the WNBA and NBA.

"I think I gotta bring her out," Curry said while discussing her milestone with his teammate Brandin Podziemski. "We gotta settle this once and for all."

SI accepted the offer ... and the NBA is giving fans what they want by making it happen.

Not only are bragging rights on the line, but money will be raised for a good cause, too -- every shot Curry and Ionescu make will go toward a donation to the NBA Foundation to help Black communities.

Curry's charity, Eat.Learn.Play, and Ionescu's SI20 Foundation will also receive a donation from the NBA and WNBA.

LaMelo Ball is in some hot water with some of his biggest fans ... who are pissed at the NBA star for cracking up on the Hornets' bench during a blowout loss Monday.

Ball wasn't playing in Charlotte's home tilt against the New York Knicks while dealing with a sore ankle ... so he took a seat with some of his squadmates -- and despite the completely one-sided score, he was seen smiling throughout the contest.

At one point, when Charlotte was down 25 points early in the fourth quarter ... Ball was actually seen busting at the seams with Bryce McGowens and James Bouknight.

The images pissed off a whole lot of Hornets supporters, who found it downright disrespectful that the team's biggest star didn't appear locked in on the game.

What made it especially worse was "Let's Go Knicks" chants had broken out at the Spectrum Center right around the same time.

The Hornets went on to lose 113-92 ... and their record is now a measly 10-35.

Rajon Rondo -- a two-time NBA champion -- was arrested on Sunday and booked on gun and weed charges, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

According to Jackson County Jail records in Indiana, the ex-Boston Celtics star was thrown behind bars at around 4 PM. A rep for the facility tells us he was booked on three separate charges -- possession of paraphernalia, possession of marijuana, and unlawful possession of a firearm -- before he was released on $705 bond.

Court documents we obtained show it all stemmed from a routine traffic stop at around 2:21 PM on an Indiana highway.

According to the docs, an Indiana State Police trooper pulled over Rondo for no plate on the back of his Tesla. However, during the stop, the trooper stated he smelled marijuana emanating from the former basketball player ... and in an ensuing search of his car, a small amount of weed, drug paraphernalia, and a gun were all discovered.

Due to a previous case against Rondo, he was not supposed to have the firearm.

All three charges against the four-time All-Star are misdemeanors.

This is, of course, not the first time Rondo has been accused of wrongdoing ... in May 2022, a woman filed an emergency protection order against him after she claimed he snapped at her for interrupting a video game session he was having with his son.

She accused Rondo of smashing things around the house, before pulling out a gun. The case, however, was dismissed weeks later.

Rondo was also sued in 2020 ... after a woman claimed she was injured during an altercation with the former point guard and his girlfriend outside an apartment complex. That case was settled in 2022.

D'Angelo Russell's impromptu Lionel Messi impression just set him back a wad of dough -- the Lakers guard was just fined $15k for punting the rock into the stands after Saturday's double-overtime win over the Warriors.

The NBA just handed down the punishment on Monday ... with the league's executive VP Joe Dumars announcing the costly penalty.

The moment happened after the final buzzer of the second extra period ... when Stephen Curry heaved the ball three-quarters of the court in a last-ditch effort to win the game.

As the ball made its way back down to earth, Russell ran onto the hardwood to celebrate the 145-144 win ... kicking the rock into the first few rows of the arena in the process.

While it seemed like the 27-year-old was just trying to have some fun, the league decided it was a finable offense nonetheless.

Una escena caótica se vivió antes del partido de baloncesto de Georgetown vs. Providence el sábado y hay videos que están inundando las redes sociales que muestran a los aficionados empujando y gritando fuera.

Esto es lo que pasó, los estudiantes estaban alineados afuera del Amica Mutual Pavillion en Rhode Island para el enfrentamiento de la Big East Conference, y al parecer habían estado desde las 7 de la mañana, casi tres horas antes del partido.

Parece que estos estudiantes estaban demasiado entusiasmados y empezaron a empujar hacia adelante, lo que provocó que varios alumnos se cayeran al suelo y una botaran una contención de metal que estaba al lado.

Echa un vistazo al video, varias personas están en el suelo, mientras que sus compañeros parecen tratar de empujar a la multitud hacia atrás, claramente en un esfuerzo por no ser pisoteados.

Es una escena tensa, con el equipo de seguridad diciéndole a los estudiantes que dejen de empujar y empujar a un par de estudiantes lejos que se cayeron. La persona que toma el video no salió ileso tampoco. En un momento, la cámara se inclina hacia abajo para revelar que sus zapatos fueron arrancados por el tumulto.

Al final, las personas de seguridad calmaron los ánimos y dejaron entrar a los estudiantes al juego poco a poco. No está claro si alguien resultó herido. Por cierto, Providence terminó ganando el juego 84-76 - y los videos desde el interior de la arena muestran la magnitud de la multitud.

A chaotic scene went down before the Georgetown-Providence basketball game Saturday ... with videos flooding social media of fans pushing and yelling outside.

Here's the deal ... students were lined up, ready to head into the Amica Mutual Pavillion in Rhode Island for the Big East Conference showdown -- where they'd reportedly been since 7 AM, almost three hours before tip-off!!!

These dedicated students seem to have gotten overexcited 'cause it appears some started pushing their way forward ... which led to several students on the ground -- and a metal barricade standing almost totally vertical on the side.

Check out the vid -- several people are on the ground while their fellow students seem to be trying to hold the crowd back ... clearly in an effort to keep them from being trampled.

It's a tense scene ... with security screaming at students to stop pushing and shoving a couple students away from those who fell -- the person taking the video didn't come away unscathed either, tilting the camera down to reveal their shoes were taken off in the melee.

Ultimately, the people working seemed to calm things down and let students into the game slowly. It's not clear if anyone was injured ... but regardless, it's a pretty scary scene. BTW, Providence ended up winning the game 84-76 -- and videos from inside the arena show the sheer magnitude of the crowd.

Kim Kardashian y Kanye West tuvieron otro frío encuentro en un partido de baloncesto de su hijo el viernes por la noche, y las cámaras captaron todo.

La ex pareja llegó por separado al evento deportivo de Saint, de 8 años, en Los Ángeles, tratando de mantener la distancia el uno del otro, al mismo tiempo que tenían una incómoda interacción.

Echa un vistazo a estas fotos de los paparazzi obtenidas por TMZ. Kim no parece muy feliz mientras parece escuchar algo que le dice el rapero.

Otra imagen muestra a la magnate de SKIMS sentada en la banca con otras personas a su lado, mientras Kanye charlaba con Nick Cannon lejos de ella.

En una tercera imagen, se ve a Kim sentada sola con la mirada seria.

Después del partido de baloncesto, Kim se fue con Saint a cenar algo. Kanye, por supuesto, no fue invitado, y salió del partido solo. Su novia, Bianca Censori, no estaba a la vista.

Recordemos que Kim y Ye hicieron lo mismo la semana pasada en otro partido de Saint.

Como ya informamos, Kim y Kanye han tenido una relación especialmente difícil desde su divorcio en 2022, tras 7 años de matrimonio y cuatro hijos, incluido Saint.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West showed up for another one of their icy encounters at their son's Friday night basketball game -- as the cameras caught almost every chilly moment.

The former couple arrived separately at 8-year-old Saint's sporting event in Los Angeles, trying to keep their distance from one another while also having an awkward interaction.

Check out these paparazzi photos, obtained by TMZ ... Kim does not appear happy while appearing to listen to something the rapper is saying.

Another picture shows the SKIMS mogul sitting on the sidelines mingling with other people next to her ... while Kanye chatted it up with Nick Cannon away from her.

In a third image, Kim is seen sitting all alone in her chair with a serious look on her face.

After the basketball game, Kim left with Saint to go grab some dinner. Kanye, of course, was not invited, and exited the game alone. His boo, Bianca Censori, was nowhere in sight.

Remember, Kim and Ye were doing much of the same at Saint's game last week, too.

As we reported, Kim and Kanye have had an especially rocky relationship since their 2022 divorce after 7 years of marriage and four children together, including Saint.