TMZ Sports - Page 17

Kyrie Irving took time out of a pre-game speech Wednesday to demand Joe Biden get Brittney Griner home ... saying straight up, "Do your job!"

The Nets star made the call-out just seconds before Brooklyn took on the New Orleans Pelicans ... right in the middle of the Barclays Center court.

The 30-year-old grabbed the mic, and urged fans to cheer his team and his teammates on ... before he turned the conversation to Griner and the U.S. President.

"I appreciate us being able to share this floor together, all of us as brothers," the point guard said, "but the big picture that's going in the world is free our sister, Brittney Griner, please!"

"POTUS, do your job!" he added. "Everybody do your job! Please bring our sister home."

Griner has been incarcerated in Russia since February ... after authorities accused her of bringing hashish oil in her luggage at a Moscow airport.

Biden has said repeatedly he's working hard to bring her home -- and U.S. officials have said they've made a substantial offer to Russia to get her out.

Griner's wife, Cherelle, said earlier this week on the basketball player's birthday that she appreciated the President's efforts.

Others around the NBA also used their season-opening platforms this week to raise awareness for Griner's situation ... with Steph Curry saying at the Warriors ring ceremony Tuesday that he didn't want anyone to forget about her.

Paul Pierce continues to be the butt of the joke after his viral raunchy twerking party last year -- his friends trolled him by getting a birthday cake with a picture from the infamous Instagram Live session ... and it's hilarious!!

Pierce, who celebrated his 45th birthday last Thursday, posted a picture of the cake on Twitter ... which poked fun at his NSFW gathering that led to his exit from ESPN.

On the cake is a pic of Paul -- who looks mesmerized -- pictured next to a scantily clad woman with the words, "Monica come through," and "Happy Birthday Habibi."

"My boys got me this cake fa my bday they play to much," Pierce said on Twitter ... seemingly accepting the friendly jab.

Remember ... the former Celtics superstar posted a video on Instagram showing him having a good time as scantily-clad women twerked on the floor behind him.

Pierce was fired from his ESPN job just days later.

Paul didn't seem too phased by his firing at the time ... posting a video of him smiling and laughing, saying, "Big Things coming soon stay tuned make sure u smile."

Shoutout to Paul for being a good sport about it all.

Kevin Durant is fed up with how hoop fans are treating Russell Westbrook ... saying it's completely fair to criticize players for poor performances -- but people are taking it to an unnecessary level with his old teammate.

You've seen the memes and clips -- Brodie's game has been under the microscope ever since he played his first game for the Lakers in 2021 ... with folks highlighting his miscues on social media and cracking jokes.

KD -- who played alongside Russ in Oklahoma City -- says he's seen all the posts and is clearly annoyed with how the 2017 MVP is being treated ... and thinks NBA fandom is getting to "toxic" levels.

"I understand there's certain points where you don't play well," KD said on "The Etcs" with Boardroom. "And, you are open to criticism when you don't play well. We get that."

"But, it's like now, you make him the butt of your jokes now. It's going to a point to where it's like, alright, I get the criticism for what he did that night, but now it's starting to reach a different level of some s*** that I don't understand right now."

Durant says fans are being extra hard on Westbrook because he's now on a huge market team and playing alongside the most famous NBA player in the past 30 years ... which has a big impact on how he's evaluated.

Despite all the talk, KD is pulling for Brodie ... saying he hopes he sticks to his game, blocks out the haters, and proves everybody wrong -- with one exception.

"When we play [the Lakers], I hope they play s****y," he joked.

Durant adds he thinks current NBA fans are overall being more negative than usual ... saying, "I hate how they talk. The dialogue around our game is so toxic at this point. I get criticism, but it's starting to turn into something else right now."

The University of Wisconsin and its police department have launched an investigation after private photos and video of the women's volleyball team, never meant to be seen publicly, were published online.

The Badgers' athletic department released a statement Wednesday afternoon stating the student-athletes reached out to the UW-Madison Police Department when they realized pics they'd taken were going around social media.

"We are aware that private photos and video of UW volleyball student-athletes that were never intended to be shared publicly are being circulated digitally," UW Athletics said.

"The unauthorized sharing is a significant and wrongful invasion of the student-athletes' privacy, including potential violations of university policies and criminal statutes."

"UWPD is investigating multiple crimes, including sharing sensitive photos without consent."

The photos and videos are believed to have been taken after the team clinched the Big Ten title in November of last year. One of the photos reportedly shows several members of the team lifting their sports bras and posing. The photos were private and never meant to be seen publicly.

Most of the photos have been taken down off the internet.

"Our top priority is supporting our student-athletes," UW Athletics said, "and we are providing them with the appropriate services and resources."

Deshaun Watson found himself in trouble in Ohio just months after he was traded to the Browns ... TMZ Sports has learned he was busted for going 97 MPH in a 70 MPH zone in June.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says it caught the star quarterback speeding in his G-Wagon in Sandusky -- less than three months after the Houston Texans dealt him to the Browns in a blockbuster trade.

Police body cam footage shows an officer pulled over the 27-year-old on June 11 ... and asked him if he had any clue how fast he was going.

"Like, 97?" said Watson, who also told the cop he had just been traded to the Browns.

"Yeah," the officer responded, "I got you at 97."

Watson said during the stop that he had been traveling into town from Detroit ... and the entire interaction with the cop was cordial. After a few minutes, the QB was issued a citation and allowed to leave.

Court records show the case was closed out on July 6 -- when Watson paid a $185 fine.

Deshaun is currently serving an 11-game suspension after he allegedly was sexually inappropriate with female masseuses during multiple massage therapy sessions during his time on the Texans.

Steph Curry was so pumped for his bro-in-law's game-winner on Wednesday night ... he woke up everyone in his house -- and nearly everyone in his neighborhood, too!!

Curry spent part of his off-night from the NBA watching the Suns vs. Mavericks ... and when Damion Lee -- his former Warriors teammate and the husband of his sister, Sydel -- sank an improbable shot to give Phoenix the dub, he absolutely lost his mind.

The 4-time NBA champ and Golden State superstar let out a guttural yell ... before claiming he didn't mind that he was bothering his sleeping kids.

"Come on!!!!" he screamed as his wife, Ayesha, sat on the couch behind him. "Yeah, Dame! Stick with it! Stick with it! Stick with it!"

"The kids are asleep," he added. "I don't care! Stick with it!"

In the background, Curry's youngest child, Canon, could be heard crying -- but it still didn't stop Steph from praising Lee.

The two are obviously super close -- and have been officially family since 2018 ... when Lee married Sydel.

Tennis legend Boris Becker has found a second career while locked away in an English slammer ... he's become a popular prison yoga instructor!

German tabloid Bild, citing a source close to the 54-year-old, reported this week that the convicted criminal has begun to thrive while behind bars ... teaching fitness routines to his fellow prisoners -- and losing a ton of weight.

The outlet reports Becker has made fast friends with inmates at Huntercombe prison in England, hosting yoga classes for around 45 people. Becker, according to the outlet, has also given up alcohol, become a regular in the facility's gym, and lost around 17 pounds.

"As a sportsman," the source close to Becker told Bild, "he knows only too well the highs and lows of victories and defeats. He is sharing his life experience with his fellow prisoners."

As we reported, Becker was initially sentenced to 2.5 years in prison back in April after he was accused of moving a ton of money in an effort to hide funds following his declaration of bankruptcy in 2017.

The former No. 1-ranked tennis player allegedly transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars from his business account to other accounts after declaring bankruptcy -- a big no-no.

In announcing Becker's sentence, the judge ripped into the former tennis star ... saying at the time, "You have not shown remorse, acceptance of your guilt and have sought to distance yourself from your offending and your bankruptcy."

As Halloween approaches, normies are looking for thrills -- and so are celebs ... which is exactly why a good amount of 'em are hitting Universal Studios for the best scares in town.

As you might know, Halloween Horror Nights is underway at the L.A. theme park -- and with some of the freakiest haunted mazes within reach in Hollywood ... it's no surprise that some A-listers are pouring in for their fair share.

Among some of stars who've shown up so far ... Billie Eilish, Jordyn Woods and her BF, Karl-Anthony Towns. While you'd think they'd be screaming, they're actually all cheesin'!

Bebe Rexha also popped in for HHH, but her visit seems to have been a little more fright-filled ... 'cause it looks like she's losing her head here. That, or just hamming it up for the camera -- could go either way.

Actress Kiernan Shipka also splashed down at one point this season. She looked a little more even-keeled than Bebe did alongside a bunch of monsters -- but that might have to do with her work on the 'Sabrina' witch show on Netflix ... which is scary as hell.

There's also Shawn Mendes, who swung by to pose with the performers and flash his pearly whites. The guy didn't look to be too afraid or anything.

The attraction's got a rep for being as in-your-face as possible in terms of trying to scare you ... but these folks aren't allowed to make actual contact, close as they might get.

That directive is likely applied even more so when it comes to the rich and famous who might swing by during Halloween-time ... in other words, these fine folks are at no real risk of being too scared or accosted.

As for the rest of us ... well, a little more so.

James Bouknight was unconscious for an hour before cops were finally able to wake up the Charlotte Hornets guard ... but the ordeal didn't end there, 'cause law enforcement says the hooper refused to get out of his Mercedes and even crashed into two squad cars before finally being placed under arrest for DWI.

The details of the arrest are all spelled out in court docs ... and it's clear cops had a helluva time waking up the former UConn star. Police say they tried numerous tactics for about an hour, including using a PA system and an air horn.

Once he finally came to, cops say the 22-year-old refused to get out of his car for several minutes, and instead sat in his driver's seat, eating.

As TMZ Sports previously reported, while asleep, Bouknight had a Glock 23 handgun in his lap. The weapon was visible in a photograph obtained and posted by us.

Police say James moved his car forward, hitting a cop car in front of him, before reversing and hitting another squad car behind him.

Finally, cops say Bouknight complied and exited the car, where he was arrested.

The docs say Bouknight claimed he took four shots of tequila before driving home early Sunday morning. He later took a breathalyzer and blew a .14. The limit in North Carolina is .08.

JB apologized for the arrest on Tuesday, saying ... “Honestly, I just wanted to apologize for being a distraction before the start of the season, for my teammates and for what we’ve got going on.”

Basketball star Emoni Bates is asking for forgiveness after a "poor decision" led to his gun arrest ... saying he hopes he can inspire others to learn from his mistake.

18-year-old Bates -- who was rated one of the top high school hoopers in the class of 2021 -- spoke out for the first time on Wednesday about the situation ... completely owning up to his actions and vowing to do better moving forward.

"The crazy thing about living your life on stage is the inability to escape judgment, and experience the growing pains of lie as a normal adolescent -- privately," Bates said in a statement.

"I hold myself accountable for making a poor decision, and hope you can forgive me as I grow because this will not be my last mistake, however; a lasting stigma to remind me of the severity of such a mistake."

Bates was arrested on September 18 around 10:45 PM in Superior Township, Michigan after cops say he blew a stop sign.

Police officers smelled weed during the stop, and eventually took Emoni out of the vehicle. He quickly admitted there was marijuana and a gun in the car, and was cooperative throughout the whole ordeal.

The 6'9", 190 lb. hooper was charged with multiple felonies, including carrying a concealed weapon and "altering ID marks" on the weapon ... but on Wednesday, he officially agreed to a deal and pled guilty to one misdemeanor count of attempted illegal transportation of a weapon.

Bates enrolled at Memphis Univ. after graduating from high school ... where he averaged 10 points and 3 rebounds per game. Emoni transferred to Eastern Michigan, near his family home, after his first season in Tennessee.

Terrifying scene in the AEW on Tuesday night ... "Hangman" Adam Page -- one of the org.'s biggest stars -- was taken out of the ring on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital after he landed awkwardly during a match.

Thankfully, however, AEW officials say it appears the wrestler is already on his way to making a full recovery.

The scary incident went down during Page's scrap with Jon Moxley at AEW Dynamite in Cincinnati, Ohio ... when he was struck in the head by a forearm while running at full speed.

Video from the event's broadcast shows the blow was so violent, it caused Page to come down on his head, unprotected.

Page lay on the mat for several moments after being struck -- and quickly, it became apparent to the ref that something was seriously wrong. The match was stopped, and trainers raced in to tend to the 31-year-old.

Page was eventually strapped to a stretcher -- and Moxley grabbed a mic and told the crowd to pray for his rival.

AEW officials released a statement saying Page was taken to a nearby Cincinnati trauma center ... and diagnosed with a concussion. But, fortunately, they added he was discharged shortly after.

"[Page] will remain in AEW's concussion protocol," the org. said. "AEW and Hangman Page are grateful for the exemplary response and care of staff and local medical personnel and are appreciative of the love and support of fans everywhere."

Several stars in the wrestling world wished Page a speedy recovery ... including Big E, who recently suffered a serious neck injury in a similar in-ring incident.

"Praying for Hangman," he said.

Jim Leyritz, hero of the 1996 World Series, knows a little something about hitting under pressure in the playoffs ... and now the catcher/infielder/outfield (Jim basically played every position) is telling TMZ Sports his secret.

"I always was taught that at a very young age from Pete Rose is if I treated every at-bat from day one til the end of the season, it didn't matter where it was, or what was going on around me, but that at-bat was the most important one, so I never got caught up in the moment, and that's what I would tell young players," Jim says.

"Don't get caught up in the moment. It's you against him. It's no different than your first at-bat at spring training or your last at-bat of the season. Concentrate on that at-bat and don't get caught up on everything going on around you."

"It's easier said than done, but that was my mindset."

You learned that from Pete, we asked.

"I have to thank Pete Rose, as a 14-year-old kid, as a batboy for the Reds, and he gave me that advice, and its helped me through my entire life in everything I've done under pressure, that I was able to perform under pressure."

Of course, Leyritz's is most known for his 3-run home run during Game 4 of the '96 World Series ... between the Yankees and Braves. Atlanta led the series, 2 games to 1, and held a commanding 6-0 lead through 5 innings in the pivotal game.

But, the Yanks scratched a few runs across ... and then in the 8th inning, Leyritz came to the plate, down 3, with 1 out and 2 runners aboard.

Then, with one crack of the bat, Leyritz blasted a 3-run dinger to left, tying the game at 6. The game went to extra innings before the Yankees ultimately won 8-6 in the 10th, evening the series at 2 games apiece.

NY went on to win Game 5 behind a dominant performance by Andy Pettitte ... before putting the Braves down once and for all in Game 6. It was the NYY first championship since 1978.

It was Jim's most memorable moment ... but not his only one. Just one year earlier, during the 1995 MLB playoffs, Leyritz blasted a walk-off, 2-run home run in the 15th inning of the 2nd game of the ALDS, putting the Yanks up 2-0 in the series.

Now, the Yankees will face their hated rivals, the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series ... with 4 wins the only thing separating the squad from a World Series berth.

We talked to Jim about much more relating to the Yanks-Stros ... and Jim even tells us who he thinks could be the breakout star of the series (as he once was).

The Yankees won't get any rest ... Game 1 starts today in H-Town.

Waka Flocka Flame is jumping to Russell Wilson's defense after the latest round of public Russ bashing, courtesy of Charlamagne Tha God and "The Pivot" podcast.

"The Breakfast Club" co-host was discussing his daughters' dating future with Channing Crowder when Russ' name came up in a backhanded compliment.

The whole group felt Russ was square, but they also agreed he'd be the perfect guy to bring home to the family. Former NFL star Channing added that Russ wouldn't be his ideal homie to hang with, though.

All the snickering at Russ' expense rubbed Waka the wrong way, and he called out the group on IG, posting ... "that s**t lame grown men talking bout grown men for views especially when y’all see Russ and his family happy smfh we gotta do better frfr."

This isn't the first time 'Pivot' has gone viral for making Russ the butt of a joke.

Back in April, Channing claimed Ciara wouldn't be married to Russ if he didn't have his $242 million dollar NFL contract, labeling him a "square" ... again.

Russ may have his hands full with critics this year ... his Denver Broncos are off to an awful 2-4 start, and fans think Future's guest spot on Boston Richey's "Bullseye 2," is the bad juju to blame.

Sam Westmoreland, a Mississippi State University football player, has died unexpectedly ... the school announced on Wednesday. He was 18 years old -- and only two days away from his 19th birthday.

No cause of death was revealed.

"My prayers are with Sam's family and friends," MSU president Mark E. Keenum said in a statement, "with his MSU teammates and coaches, and with the Tupelo community during this most difficult time."

Westmoreland joined the school's football team this year after a stellar career at Tupelo H.S. in Miss. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound freshman offensive lineman had yet to play in a game.

Bulldogs head coach Mike Leach described his player as "a beloved son, brother, and teammate, and a tremendous young man with a limitless future." He added that he and his team are "heartbroken" over the passing.

"He will always be remembered and deeply missed by everyone who knew and loved him," Leech said. "Our highest priority is the support of the Westmoreland family and our student-athletes during this troubling time."

Sam -- born in Tulepo, Miss. -- was an offensive tackle and an industrial technology major at MSU.

University officials said they are actively working with authorities -- including the Oktibbeha County Sheriff's Office -- to obtain more details about Sam's tragic passing.

R.I.P.

Tua Tagovailoa doesn't seem to be too concerned at all about the potential of CTE down the road following his scary head injury last month ... saying Tuesday that docs have told him he should be fine.

The Dolphins quarterback made the surprising revelation in a meeting with reporters just minutes ago ... claiming multiple experts have said to him his risk of developing CTE in the future is low -- despite the gruesome nature of the hit he suffered against the Bengals back on Sept. 29.

Tagovailoa, who also appeared to be hit in the head just four days prior against the Buffalo Bills, explained that he was told that since he plays the quarterback position ... he should be all right moving forward.

"There's not necessarily as much long-term risk to, say -- let's say guys get about six concussions," he said. "Well, those guys that only have six concussions that are playing the position that I'm playing, where we don't hit as much are less susceptible to getting CTE later on in their years than someone who's playing a position where they're constantly taking hits or blows to the head, which would be O-line, D-line, linebackers."

"And that's kind of some of the information that I've been given from a lot of these doctors that are the best of the best in their field."

In other words, Tua is under the impression that even if he sustains a few more serious head injuries ... he'll be fine because his brain is not under consistent siege on the field.

Of course, the most famous concussion expert ever, Dr. Bennet Omalu, couldn't disagree more ... telling TMZ Sports earlier this month that he thinks Tua "suffered severe, long-term permanent brain damage" from the hit.

Cody Bellinger's season may be over, but the star Dodgers outfielder has a big reason to be happy -- he's having another baby with his model girlfriend, Chase Carter!!!

Bellinger's GF shared the exciting news on Wednesday ... posting a photo showing off her baby bump alongside Cody, Junior (the family's dog), and their daughter, Caiden, writing, "Sibling on the way."

Cody, 27, and Chase, 25, welcomed their first bundle of joy to the world last November ... with the Dodgers org. posting photos of Bellinger sleeping alongside his daughter.

Cody and Chase have been dating since 2020 ... and the couple seems more than thrilled about the newest addition to their growing family.

In July, the lovebirds celebrated their second anniversary ... posing for a pic with Caiden on the field at Dodger Stadium.

"2 years and many more," Cody captioned the pic.

Bellinger and Carter are one hot couple -- the MLBer has made nearly $40 million on the field during his career ... and the model has been featured in several magazines, most notably the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and Maxim.

Bellinger's season may have ended in disappointment ... but this news is sure to put a smile on his face.