New York Knicks

The New York Knicks' national anthem singer gave quite the memorable rendition on Thursday ... when her performance was derailed by an overly excited fan -- but she bounced back and finished strong!!

The singer -- Liceli -- was only a few seconds into her performance when a spectator started shouting in a quiet Madison Square Garden. While it's unclear what the fan said, it was loud enough for her to pause in her tracks to figure out what was happening.

Even though she got tripped up, Liceli handled it like a pro -- picking up where she left off like nothing happened -- with the Garden faithful giving her a strong applause after she got going again.

Nearly getting run over by a Knicks player apparently has a place alongside Oscars and blockbuster movie credits for Anne Hathaway ... 'cause she just revealed her scary encounter with OG Anunoby earlier this week was actually on her "bucket list!"

Hathaway took to her Instagram page on Thursday night to address the close call she had on Wednesday at Madison Square Garden ... and she was surprisingly jovial about it all.

In a selfie video, she said "I almost got crashed into last night!" before adding, "I always wanted that to happen!"

A New York Knicks fan infiltrated a family-friendly event with some adult humor on Wednesday ... making use of his time on the kiss cam by doing something a bit, uh, different than locking lips with his significant other.

The surprising moment happened during a break in the action at the home team's matchup with the Chicago Bulls ... when the Madison Square Garden cameras focused on an apparent couple enjoying their date night.

The woman was seemingly ready to give her man a smooch ... but the dude had other plans. As she leaned in for a peck, he grabbed her head and pushed it down toward his lap -- and it doesn't take a genius to figure out the message he was trying to convey.

Anne Hathaway's courtside seats Wednesday night might have been just a little too courtside ... 'cause she nearly got a faceful of a sprinting Knicks player!!

Check out video from the first quarter of New York's tilt with Chicago at Madison Square Garden ... OG Anunoby almost crashed right into the actress and her son as he hunted for a loose ball.

The 6-foot-7 232-pound forward tipped a Josh Giddey pass -- and then ran after it ... but thankfully, he was able to put the brakes on before he did damage to Hathaway.

Ex-NBA star Stephon Marbury believes his New York Knicks are in a position to win a championship right now ... but tells TMZ Sports he wouldn't mind adding a few more key players along the way.

We caught up with Starbury out in NYC this week ... and had to ask about all the speculation surrounding his former team's interest in acquiring two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.

While Marbury didn't really weigh in on Giannis specifically, he did say he'd hold the door open for any major talent ... as long as they mesh with the other guys on the current roster.

The Trae Young vs. Knicks fans rivalry is back in full effect -- the Atlanta Hawks star jawed at a couple of New York supporters after their first matchup of the season -- telling 'em to skedaddle back to the Big Apple!!

The Knicks were in Atlanta to face the Hawks on Wednesday ... and their diehard supporters made the trip to check out the action -- making their hate for Young known throughout the contest.

But the three-time All-Star got the last laugh ... 'cause the Hawks won 121-116, with help from his 23 points.

Karl-Anthony Towns was more concerned about his former team than Billie Eilish performing her ass off right in front of him ... 'cause the New York Knicks star was caught watching the Timberwolves' preseason game right in the middle of her concert!!

KAT and his girlfriend, Jordyn Woods, swung by night one of the "Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour" stop at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday ... and at one point in the set, he whipped out his phone to check out some NBA action.

Interestingly enough, Towns was glued to the Wolves' 123-125 loss to the Chicago Bulls during Billie's rendition of "Bury a Friend" ... and the hilarious moment was posted to Woods' Instagram story.

Erik and Lyle Menendez are experiencing newfound fame behind bars thanks to the popular Netflix series about the gruesome murders of their parents ... and there's a weird request that keeps coming up in the fan mail that's been pouring in, TMZ has learned.

A source with knowledge at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego tells TMZ ... the infamous Menendez brothers have seen a "huge" increase in mail from fans (and, of course, some haters) thanks to wild interest in Netflix's "Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story."

Perhaps the most interesting item the brothers are being sent ... 1990-91 Hoops Mark Jackson NBA cards -- the brothers are on the card, snapped sitting in the Knicks crowd, after the murders, before their arrests -- and people want 'em autographed.

Julius Randle's wife is opening up on the blockbuster trade that sent her husband to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns ... saying she's actually excited for the change of pace in a much smaller city.

Kendra Randle took to her TikTok to talk all about the chaos the family has gone through over the past 72+ hours ... revealing they flew out to Minneapolis immediately to try and find a house and school for their kids, seven-year-old Kyden and two-year-old Jaycey.

"It is pretty hectic," she said. "I'm really grateful that it's actually not in the middle of the season, like, before the tradeline, or whatever. But, it has been pretty crazy for our first time and unexpected."

The sports world is mourning the passing of NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo ... and some basketball figures gave their reactions in real time at media day activities on Monday -- including Raptors team president Masai Ujiri, who was devastated by the news.

The longtime exec. went before reporters to passionately explain how much Mutombo meant not just to him and the sport ... but to the world.

"It's really hard to believe," he said as he held back tears. "It's hard for us to be without [Dikembe Mutombo]. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. It's a tough one."

If basketball ends anytime soon for NBA star Tyrese Haliburton ... he's clearly got a career in the wrestling world -- as during another WWE appearance on Tuesday, he played the heel role perfectly, taking a swipe at Orlando Magic fans!!

The 24-year-old Indiana Pacers forward stopped by NXT -- the company's developmental brand -- in Orlando with initial goals of helping set up a match contract between Trick Williams and Ethan Page.

Haliburton wasn't alone, though ... he rolled to the squared circle with a ton of his Pacers teammates -- and when the Florida fans weren't happy to see him, he showed off his villain skills on the mic.

Jerry Ferrara has a long list of names he wants to have appear on his new "Throwbacks" sports podcast with Matt Leinart ... but there's one person he's got highlighted at the very top of it -- New York Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson.

TMZ Sports spoke with the former "Entourage" and "Power" actor about his project with the Heisman Trophy winner ... and he's excited to chat weekly with his cohost about all things sports and life in general.

Ferrara explained it's not going to be all Xs and Os -- he's going to give the perspective of a true sports fan ... as he has a lifetime of experience from cheering for his beloved Yankees, Giants and Knicks.

NBA guard Cameron Payne dialed 911 just before he was arrested in Arizona last month ... and in a tense conversation with dispatch, he said his name was "Terry Johnson."

The chat with the Scottsdale Police Department -- which lasted more than five minutes -- happened on June 14 at around 2:30 AM ... after the 29-year-old hooper said he had gotten into a verbal dispute with his girlfriend.

Initially, you can hear in audio of the call -- obtained by TMZ Sports -- that Payne wanted officers to come to his house ASAP. But, in an ensuing back and forth with dispatch, Payne pled with the official to drop the matter.

Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart showed love to the diehard Knicks fans -- who ride for their squad, win or lose -- after the season-ending game 7 defeat to the Pacers ... showing love to droves of NYK supporters hanging out around the Garden after the game!

Of course, the Knicks and Pacers were tied at 3 games each heading into Sunday's deciding contest. Indiana star Tyrese Haliburton went off, knocking down six threes, and shooting 67% as a team, ending the season for the beaten-up Knicks.

Despite the L in the crucial game, Knicks fans still posted up at The Garden ... and Brunson -- who suffered a fractured left hand during the game -- got out of his car to shake hands with the crowd.

"We killed [Reggie Miller at The Garden.] The whole crowd, 20,000 people. 'F you, Reggie.' I ain't gonna lie, I might have been in on the chat."

That's New York legend, and forever Knicks superfan, Fat Joe ... recounting the insanely loud chant directed at the Pacers legend as game 2 came to a close, and the NY K took a 2-0 series lead.

58-year-old Miller was part of the ESPN broadcast ... and the Hall of Famer wasn't shy, continually taking jabs at Knicks fans throughout the game, reminding the MSG faithful that he "owned" NYC.