TMZ Sports - Page 24

Ex-NBA player Kyle Singler's recent social media posts have many people concerned for his safety and well-being... so much so, it actually caught the attention of the NBA Players Association -- who said they are in contact with his family.

In a statement to the Associated Press, the NBPA said they've been in touch with the family of the 36-year-old hooper, but did not offer any specifics on what they talked about ... nor did they provide any updates on Kyle.

"As with all current and former members of the NBPA, we offer any and all support to players, whether through their biggest successes or times of challenge," the NBPA said.

Jake Paul is keeping his ears protected ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson -- TMZ Sports has learned El Gallo just received some iced-out coverings to make sure his opponent doesn't try to chomp 'em off!!

The unique drip was part of the YouTuber-turned-global boxing star's latest haul ahead of Friday's huge event at AT&T Stadium ... which also included a $7 MILLION Jacob & Co. watch!!

Paul having the ear coverings is a clear jab at Iron Mike's most infamous in-ring moment -- when he bit off a piece of Evander Holyfield's ear in 1997.

Gisele Bündchen put her growing belly on display at a recent charity event ... showing off her new baby bump for the very first time!!

The supermodel rocked a sleek black dress for the Lotus House Gala's 20th anniversary celebration in Miami ... and sure enough, her bun in the oven was the main accessory catching everyone's eye.

As we reported last month, Gisele is expecting her first child with jiu-jitsu instructor Joaquim Valente ... after having two with ex-hubby Tom Brady. At the time, we were told she was about 5-6 months along.

Jason Kelce's donning his Christmas Crown ... 'cause his song with Stevie Nicks is currently charting higher than Mariah Carey's "All I Want For Christmas Is You" -- making him the official Queen of Christmas!

The former Philadelphia Eagles center talked about taking on Mariah during an episode of "The New Heights" podcast ... after Travis rattled off the accomplishment, saying somehow, Jason and The Philly Specials are beating Mariah at her own game.

"Maybe This Christmas" -- a duet by Kelce and Fleetwood Mac songstress Nicks -- has passed 'All I Want' as the No. 1 Christmas song of the season ... and, Jason says taking his rightful place as The Queen of Christmas feels so good.

Artem Chigvintsev is back in his old stomping grounds ... hanging with his "Dancing with the Stars" family amid a rough patch in his life.

Artem surfaced Tuesday night in Los Angeles for the taping of the celebrity dance competition show's 500th episode ... but he wasn't on the dance floor, he was in the crowd.

The 'DWTS' alum's former colleague Peta Murgatroyd posted a video showing Artem dancing in the stands as the episode films ... alongside Peta's husband and Artem's buddy, Maksim Chmerkovskiy.

Camryn Bynum's viral Raygun-inspired interception celebration is getting a perfect score from the Australian sensation herself ... with the breaker sharing a real-time reaction to the Vikings player's tribute!!

Raygun -- real name Rachael Gunn -- sent TMZ Sports a clip of her watching the defensive back's moves following his game-clinching pick ... and needless to say, she felt it was worthy of an Olympic medal.

"Finishing with the kangaroo. Teammates got involved, crowds cheering, that's a celebration," she said.

Patrick Mahomes is clearly peeved over the burglary that went down at his Missouri mansion last month ... he just told reporters the whole situation is "frustrating" and "disappointing."

The Chiefs star's palatial Belton estate was broken into around midnight on Oct. 6 -- according to police documents TMZ Sports obtained -- and on Wednesday, Mahomes addressed the incident publicly for the first time.

He stated he could not go into specifics about the ordeal due to the ongoing investigation ... but it was more than apparent he was annoyed by the matter.

Jessica Simpson's husband is ditching his bling ... leaving his wedding ring at home -- just a day after we learned Simpson may be considering a divorce.

Eric Johnson -- Jessica's husband of more than a decade -- stepped out in Los Angeles Tuesday, and he's baring all here ... all of his ring finger, we mean.

He's not trying to hide his left hand here -- letting it hang out for all to see ... while looking over what may be important documents.

Detriot Lions LB James Houston isn't the first NFL player to (allegedly) crap himself ... Jason Kelce just admitted to making a mud pie in his uniform -- albeit BEFORE the game!

The retired Philadelphia Eagles center relayed the poopy story during the newest episode of his and Travis Kelce's "New Heights" podcast ... just days after Houston, a 3rd-year player for the Lions, went viral for what the internet believes was him crapping his pants (FWIW, James vehemently denied the allegation, saying it was a stain from a sports drink) during SNF.

"The reason why I hate white pants," Kelce told his brother Travis.

Gregg Popovich suffered a mild stroke earlier this month ... but thankfully, the legendary coach is expected to make a full recovery.

The San Antonio Spurs shared the update on Wednesday ... saying Pop experienced the medical scare at the team's Frost Bank Center on Nov. 2.

According to the statement, Pop has already kickstarted a rehabilitation program in the days following the stroke ... and although there's a strong belief he'll get back to 100%, a timeline for his return has yet to be determined.

Shaquille O'Neal is keeping his foot on the gas when it comes to Joel Embiid ... continuing to go after the Philadelphia 76ers superstar and saying if he doesn't make some serious changes, he'll never win a championship.

Shaq's blunt assessment came during halftime of the Sixers' matchup with the New York Knicks ... after Embiid put up eight points through two quarters -- all of which came from the free-throw line, as he was 0-3 from the field.

Diesel was clearly unpleased with Embiid's season debut -- especially after the big man expressed his desire to take games off to preserve his health for the playoffs -- and didn't sugarcoat how he felt on the whole situation.

Klay Thompson returned to The Bay for the first time as a Dallas Maverick -- facing the Warriors -- and after knocking down a big 3, the 4x NBA champ mimicked his old teammate Steph Curry's infamous shimmy.

But, the Chef got the last laugh.

The intense game went down Tuesday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Thompson's first matchup against his former team since trading him in July after 11 seasons.

There's nothing wrong with Caitlin Clark's jump shot, but her golf swing clearly needs some work ... check out video of her on a course Wednesday -- she nearly drilled a gaggle of spectators with an errant shot!

Clark is participating in this week's pro-am at The Annika at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida ... and in one of her first holes of the day, she almost took out some fans who were following her around.

Take a look at a clip shot by golf reporter Beth Ann Nichols, Clark teed up her ball and took a whack at it ... but mishit it badly.

Michael Strahan is firing back at the outrage surrounding his stance on the national anthem on Sunday ... claiming his hand placement was simply the result of being caught up in the moment.

The Giants great-turned-TV personality released a lengthy video statement on the matter ... emphatically denying he was trying to make a political statement as the "Star-Spangled Banner" played during the Veteran's Day-themed "Fox NFL Sunday" broadcast from Naval Base San Diego.

Strahan explained his deep respect for the military is what actually led to his pose ... as he was so amazed by the sailors present for the event, he didn't realize his cohosts all had their hands on their chests as the anthem played -- which, he admitted, made him to panic.

Scary scene on the NBA hardwood Tuesday night ... Pistons wing Tim Hardaway Jr. terrifyingly slammed his head on the ground -- and needed a wheelchair to leave the game.

The scene all unfolded in the third quarter of Detroit's matchup with the Heat at Little Caesars Arena ... when Hardaway Jr. attempted to play some physical defense against Tyler Herro.

The 32-year-old stepped in front of the driving Miami star in an effort to draw a charge ... but Herro was coming in with so much speed, he knocked Hardaway Jr. to the floor.

Haters can save their breath when it comes to JJ Redick  ... 'cause his former teammate, Matt Barnes, tells TMZ Sports the Lakers coach simply "doesn't give a s***" about any outside noise.

Barnes played with Redick on the L.A. Clippers from 2013 to 2015 ... and if there's one takeaway he got from their time together, it's that the dude stays focused on what matters -- and definitely knows his stuff.

Now that Redick has landed his first head coaching gig (with the Purple and Gold, no less), all eyes are on him ... and naturally, that puts his performance under the microscope.