TMZ Sports - Page 7

The NBA turned into the WWE on Sunday ... when Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson threw Miami Heat star Tyler Herro to the hardwood during an intense altercation -- resulting in utter chaos.

The wild moment happened with just over 30 seconds left in the Heat's 104-100 road win over the Rockets ... when Thompson was applying heavy pressure on Herro ahead of an inbound pass.

The two grabbed each other's jerseys ... but Thompson took it one step further and forced the sharp-shooter to the ground.

If Rod Woodson was advising Travis Hunter, he tells TMZ Sports he'd suggest the Buffs star only play corner in the NFL ... explaining he thinks the Heisman Trophy winner can be "an All-Pro" at the position.

Hunter, of course, was named college football's best player earlier this month because of the way he dominated at both WR and CB -- but Woodson says doing both at a high level in the NFL is just not feasible.

The former Pittsburgh Steeler -- who played defensive back in the league for 17 seasons -- said he'd rather see Hunter focus on corner ... and take occasional reps at wideout, just like his mentor, Deion Sanders, did during his NFL days.

Matthew Gaudreau's wife just gave birth to their son ... four short months after he and his brother Johnny were killed by an alleged drunk driver.

Madeline Gaudreau announced the news on Instagram early Sunday morning ... sharing a photo of their baby boy holding tightly to her hand -- and revealing she named him Tripp.

In her caption, Madeline writes Tripp is "Mommy & Daddy’s world" ... keeping Matthew's presence within the family alive. BTW, Matthew helped choose the name before he passed, it seems.

Kiyan Anthony's first action on a Syracuse court is still roughly a year away, but La La Anthony tells TMZ Sports she's already planning her gameday outfits!!!

The mother of the four-star shooting guard -- who she shares with NBA legend Carmelo Anthony -- made it clear to us while leaving the Million Dollar Giveback event in NYC this week that she's "going to be that mom."

"I don't have [the 'fits] yet," she told us, "but I think I'm going to be that mom that's, like, Syracuse-geared out. For sure."

Put the kids to bed before Le'Veon Bell fights former Jake Paul opponent Ryan Bourland ... 'cause the former All-Pro running back turned boxer tells TMZ Sports' fans can expect VIOLENCE!

"I just can't wait. I can't wait," 32-year-old Bell said. "Ryan Bourland is in trouble. He is in damn trouble."

Bell and Bourland are scheduled to box on April 12 in Pittsburgh (where Le'Veon starred as a Steeler -- a fight locale LB's pumped for!) under Damon Feldman's Celebrity Boxing promotion.

Tina Knowles is well aware some are popping off over Beyoncé's Netflix Christmas Day halftime show performance ... and she's not having it.

As you know, Beyoncé took the stage at the Texans-Ravens game earlier this week in her hometown of Houston ... but of course, there were some -- such as Dave Portnoy -- who bashed the show and the superstar.

Momma Knowles recently took to Instagram to clap back at haters, saying in part ... "It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later😂😂."

Shohei Ohtani may be adding a two-sport athlete to the family ... 'cause he just posted to Instagram announcing that he and his former professional basketballer wife are having their first child.

The two-way baseball standout announced the news with a post to Instagram Saturday ... sharing a snap of his dog, Decoy, lying next to a baby onesie, two tiny sneakers and what appears to be an ultrasound photo obscured by a baby face emoji.

He captioned the photo, "Can’t wait for the little rookie to join our family soon!"

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are enjoying their respective breaks ... dressing up for a dinner in the Big Apple with a couple of their famous pals.

The singer-songwriter and her footballing beau hit up BondST Restaurant -- a celeb hotspot in NYC -- Friday night ... going for a long, four-hour meal.

Check out the pics ... the two walked into BondST in matching khaki, accented with black -- perfectly coordinated as they walked into the restaurant.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl got off to a hot start Saturday ... with three giant Pop-Tart mascots stripping off their silver wrappings in the pregame festivities.

Here's the deal ... the bowl game -- which has become a fan-favorite since the popular snackfood brand took over the naming rights last year -- kicked off earlier Saturday in Orlando, Florida.

If you don't know, the MVP of the game's winning team gets to choose a flavor of giant Pop-Tart to toast -- and the team gets to dig into the bad boy postgame.

Avert your eyes and ears, Bills Mafia ... NFL legend Rod Woodson tells TMZ Sports Lamar Jackson is the MVP this year -- not Josh Allen.

According to the former Baltimore Ravens defensive back, it's not particularly close, either.

"It's no question in my head," the Hall of Famer said this week, "Lamar Jackson is the MVP."

A super rare Michael Jordan rookie card -- complete with a Chicago Bulls team set -- is about to hit the auction block ... but if collectors really want it, they better have some deep pockets, 'cause TMZ Sports has learned it's expected to sell for nearly half a million dollars!

Heritage Auctions is overseeing the sale of the 12-card lot ... and experts there tell us it's all so unique, bidding could get up to $400,000.

The cards were first introduced to the public in a Star Company 1984 release ... and the price tag is so high because of the Jordan piece -- which is considered one of his most valuable Bulls collectibles.

Sports broadcasting legend Greg Gumbel has died.

The longtime studio host's family said in a statement to CBS on Friday "he passed away peacefully surrounded by much love after a courageous battle with cancer."

They added, "Greg approached his illness like one would expect he would, with stoicism, grace, and positivity. He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten."

Professional boxer Paul Bamba -- who recently became the first fighter to sign with Ne-Yo's management company -- has died, the singer announced Friday. He was just 35 years old.

"It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives," Ne-Yo and the Bamba family said in a joint statement.

Bamba held a 19-3 record over the course of his career ... and most recently defeated Rogelio Medina Luna in New Jersey this past Saturday to be named the WBA Gold Cruiserweight world champion.

Patrick Mahomes' family is hoping Chiefs Kingdom can come together to send positive vibes their way ... with the superstar quarterback's mother asking for prayers amid her father's ongoing health battle.

Randi Mahomes shared the update on the three-time Super Bowl champion's grandpa, Randy, on Friday ... posting to her Instagram story a picture of them together with the caption, "Asking for prayers for my father."

Randi previously requested similar help from her followers earlier this year -- in September, she revealed he was receiving medical attention ... and watched Patrick's game against the Los Angeles Chargers from a facility with her dad.

The National Lacrosse League player who was seen on video attacking a pair of fans following a game last weekend has been issued a citation over his role in the altercation.

The incident went down on Dec. 21 after the Halifax Thunderbirds' loss to the Colorado Mammoth in Denver ... when Tyson Bell went after two people who appeared to be heckling him and his team.

In footage captured by a spectator inside of Ball Arena, you can see Bell punched one of the fans, before he hit another with his stick.

Nick Saban is being a good sport amid his silly beef with Shane Gillis ... saying he understands the comedian was doing his job when cracking a joke about paying players during his legendary tenure at Alabama -- while proving he's got a sense of humor himself.

The "Tires" star initially made the comments on "College GameDay" earlier this month ... claiming Notre Dame is able to compete now that all schools allow student-athletes to get compensated for their accomplishments -- and not just Bama and the SEC in previous years.

Gillis claimed he was just teasing Saban -- who he referred to as "Alabama Jones" due to his hat choice that day -- and admitted he didn't REALLY think there was shady business going on in the conference.