Chennedy Carter Gets Standing Ovation, Applause After Caitlin Clark Incident

The outside world was super critical of Chennedy Carter, but the home fans have her back ... and that was crystal clear in the Sky's return to Chicago, where CC received a rousing ovation in her first game since the controversy!

Carter and the Sky played against the New York Liberty on Tuesday at home -- their first game since Chennedy's body check of Caitlin Clark during last weekend's matchup.

It seems the Sky fans didn't care about the play, which was called dirty by many ... 'cause when she checked into the game, they cheered her on in a big way.

Sam Asghari Reality TV, Here I Come!!! As Britney's Woes Continue

Sam Asghari's professional life is going pretty well after divorcing Britney Spears ... as he's set to make his official foray into reality TV.

The actor and model was announced as part of the season 3 cast for Peacock's popular competition series, "The Traitors" ... and he'll be appearing alongside some reality TV greats -- including "Vanderpump Rules" star Tom Sandoval and "Selling Sunset" star Chrishell Stause.

Other notable participants include Zac Efron's brother Dylan, Bob the Drag Queen, 'RHONY' alum Dorinda Medley, wrestling star Nikki Garcia, Bachelor Nation's Gabby Windey and Wells Adams, "Big Brother" vets Britney Haynes and Danielle Reyes and "Survivor" stars Carolyn Wiger, Jeremy Collins and Rob Mariano.

Colts Mascot Plunges Into U.S. Swim Trials Pool ... At Lucas Oil Stadium

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OLYMPIC PLUNGE

The home of the Indianapolis Colts has transformed into a massive swimming facility ahead of next week's Olympic team trials ... but Caeleb Dressel or Katie Ledecky weren't the first to break in the new tank -- it was none other than the NFL team's mascot, Blue!!

The beloved horse documented the christening on social media ... showing him prancing around with enthusiasm before jumping right into the newly built pool on Wednesday.

It's an exciting time in Indy -- the place that usually hosts Anthony Richardson and Co. has been going through quite the makeover for the past month ... with the stadium turning into the world's biggest swimming arena to host the trials on June 15-23.

Lauren Sanchez Con-Grad-ulations to son Nikko ... Party w/ Ex Tony, Bezos!!!

Lauren Sanchez has the whole blended family gathering down to a science ... celebrating her son Nikko's graduation with her soon-to-be-husband, her ex and his wife!

The TV personality shared a series of photos from Nikko's college grad party, featuring Jeff Bezos, Nikko's dad -- NFL Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez -- and Tony's wife, October. The adult squad seemed even to enjoy each other's company, posing for multiple pics together.

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Mama Bear posted a tear-jerking video in honor of her boy, who's 23 now ... comprised of pics of Nikko before cutting to an emotional speech Sanchez gave during the festivities -- and, ya gotta watch it for yourself because it's LS at her most raw.

'Jeopardy!' Contestants Whiff Badly On Sports Qs ... That's Not KD!!!

A trio of "Jeopardy!" contestants clearly needed to brush up on their sports knowledge prior to appearing on the game show Tuesday night ... 'cause they missed on some serious softballs, including one that simply asked them to identify NBA superstar Russell Westbrook.

The category that the three hilariously botched was titled "21st CENTURY SPORTS" ... and it became very clear quickly why it was the last subject the contestants took on in the first round of the contest.

In one of the first clues, host Ken Jennings asked the three which MLB team won the 2008 World Series. It offered up hints that the squad featured superstars like Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard.

Angel Reese Ejected From Sky Vs. Liberty Game ... Over Tiff With Ref

UPDATE

11:30 AM PT -- The WNBA just announced one of Reese's technical fouls has been rescinded ... which means she'll at least save a bit of money, as the league penalizes players for each tech.

Angel Reese was not on the floor for the last couple minutes of the Sky's game Tuesday night ... and it's all 'cause a ref booted her from the action for bickering over a call.

The Chicago star's spat with the game official happened with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter of the Sky's tilt with the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena.

The 22-year-old was whistled for a personal foul ... and she made it clear immediately she didn't agree with the call. She appeared to hurl some words at the ref -- before waving him off in disgust. However, after she made the motion with her hand, the official quickly called her for two technical fouls, and threw her out of the game.

Angel McCoughtry I'm Plotting A Return To The WNBA ... I'll Protect Caitlin Clark!

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BACK UP YOUR TEAMMATES
TMZSports.com

If Caitlin Clark's teammates won't protect her from cheap shots on the court, Angel McCoughtry will ... saying she's down to sign with the Indiana Fever in a return to the league where she starred for years!

37-year-old McCoughtry joined Babcock on the "TMZ Sports" TV show (airs weekdays on FS1) ... days after Chicago Sky guard Chennedy Carter's body check of Clark sparked a conversation around the basketball world.

Angel believes it's time for Caitlin (and all teammates across the WNBA) to protect each other.

50 Cent and Ben Crump Representing Black Spirit Industry ... Hitting Capitol Hill!!!

UPDATE

6/5 -- 10:50 AM PT -- As promised, 50 Cent and Ben Crump staged an audience on Wednesday in Washington D.C. for Black entrepreneur empowerment ... where they were confronted by a reporter inquiring about 50's voting pick for the upcoming election.

True to the meet-up, the reporter suggests President Joe Biden is pro-Black business but asks 50 if his past support of Donald Trump still holds up, to which 50 says tell them, "I don't know how to answer that question!!!"

50 Cent and Ben Crump are on a mission to increase minority representation in America’s booming booze industry … 'cause they say Black people are missing out on billions!!!

Jemele Hill Angel And Caitlin Need Each Other ... Like Magic And Bird!!!

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BIRD VS. MAGIC PART 2
TMZ.com

Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese may not be the best of friends, but their careers will forever be tied to each other's ... so says Jemele Hill, who sees early comparisons to Magic Johnson and Larry Bird!!

The Atlantic reporter joined Harvey and Charles on "TMZ Live" on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing situation between CC and AR ... and she believes both stars need each other -- comparing it to the Lakers and Celtics legends' on-court battles during their respective playing days.

"Larry Bird and Magic Johnson had the most watched men's national championship game in history," Hill said. "They had a rivalry from that game and they brought all that with them to the NBA."

Edmonton Oilers Fan Gets Porn Site Offer ... Show Your Boobs Again With Us!!!

If the Edmonton Oilers fan who flashed her boobs on camera wants another crack at the experience -- a super popular porn site tells TMZ Sports it'd be more than happy to give her the avenue!!

A rep for The Porn Dude -- an adult website that snares over 61 million views a month -- said after seeing the woman display her assets during the Oilers vs. Stars Western Conference finals series last month, they want her in front of a cam.

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FLASH FOR THE FANS
X/@stashme

The spokesperson said they believe her boobs "were made for porn" -- and are offering her a place on their famous PornDudeCasting set.

UFC Champ Alexa Grasso Would Love To Fight Shevchenko At The Sphere For Mexican Independence Day Weekend!

Alexa Grasso
COACHING AIN'T EASY
TMZSports.com

"The Ultimate Fighter" coaches Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko will fight at the culmination of the hit show -- and the flyweight champ has a venue in mind -- The Sphere!

TMZ Sports talked to 30-year-old Grasso -- who will debut as coach opposite rival Shevchenko on TUF 32 on Tuesday night -- where we asked the 125-pound title holder about the show and eventual trilogy fight with Valentina.

It's no secret the two female stars are fighting ... but the question is when and where.

Pat McAfee Caitlin Accepted My Apology ... For 'White Bitch' Remark

Everything seems to be A-OK with Pat McAfee and Caitlin Clark following his controversial "white bitch" comment -- the ESPN personality said Tuesday the WNBA star has accepted his apology for the remark.

The former NFL player said on the "Pat McAfee Show" he reached out to Clark and the Indiana Fever as soon as he realized he had set the internet on fire with his statement.

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I MESSED UP ...
ESPN

He said a short time after he extended the olive branch, the team messaged him back and said they were "all good."

*NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick Breaks Hand In Softball Game ... Keeps Playing!!!

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BOWLED OVER
Instagram / @jeremyloper

Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC was totally Pete Rose'd in the middle of a celebrity softball game ... getting leveled at home plate and breaking his hand in the process -- but somehow, the dude kept playing through the injury!!

TMZ is told ... the musician was one of several big names invited to participate in the Rock 'N Jock fundraiser for Folds of Honor in Nashville on Monday -- and at one point in the friendly competition, CK proved just how tough boy bands can be!!

The moment went down in the third inning ... when local radio host Jeremy Loper rounded third base and headed for home.

Ippei Mizuhara Shohei's Ex-Interpreter ... Pleads Guilty To Federal Charges

Ippei Mizuhara -- Shohei Ohtani's former interpreter -- just showed up to court and pleaded guilty to two federal charges ... stemming from allegations he stole from the MLB superstar in order to pay off gambling debts.

The 39-year-old hit a Santa Ana, CA courthouse early Tuesday morning ... and was mobbed by a throng of reporters as he made his way to the proceedings.

He did not, however, address the media as he traversed through all the cameras.

Texans' Tank Dell Breaks Silence On Shooting ... 'Wrong Place, Wrong Time'

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TRYING TO GET AWAY
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game/Barstool Sports

Houston Texans star wideout Tank Dell is opening up about the shooting that almost derailed his sophomore season in the NFL ... saying the incident was simply a matter of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As we previously reported, Dell was wounded after gunfire broke out at a Florida nightclub back in April ... which was sparked by a verbal altercation between a 16-year-old and another individual at the club.

Dell was hit during the incident ... and suffered minor injuries.

Kobe Bryant Comic Con Goer Wears Helicopter Crash Costume ... Sparks Outrage

Kobe Cosplay
Kobe Cosplay

A man who attended a recent comic convention in China wore a Kobe Bryant helicopter crash costume to the event ... and, as you can imagine, it's sparked a ton of outrage here in the States.

The unidentified person created the crass and offensive ensemble for the festival in Hangzhou ... using plastic bottles, cardboard and a No. 24 Bryant Lakers uniform for the piece. He also capped it off with a Kobe Bryant mask.

Somehow, as he walked through the venue with it all strapped to his person ... other attendees seemed OK with it.