Basketball

Here's some good news out of Boston ... Celtics star Marcus Smart says he was cleared of COVID-19!!

"Corona free as of two days ago!' Smart announced on his Twitter Sunday night.

Remember, Smart tested positive for the coronavirus shortly after Utah Jazz players Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell also contracted the virus about 2 weeks ago -- forcing the league to postpone the season.

Well, after being quarantined since March 19, the 26-year-old is GOOD TO GO, saying he was cleared by the Massachusetts Department of Health!

"Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers and I'm doing the same for everyone that's been effected by this!"

"Stay safe and stay together - apart! Much love!'

STEVE BALLMER!!!

The L.A. Clippers owner and his wife Connie just pledged more than $25 MILLION to help fight the battle against COVID-19!!!!

And, get this ... $10 MILLION of that pledge is earmarked for the Univ. of Washington Medicine’s Emergency Response Fund to expedite testing for a vaccine!!!

How 'bout them Clippers now, huh!?!?!

Of course, Steve -- who made his fortune as the CEO of Microsoft -- is reportedly worth more than $50 BILLION so, dude can afford to cut those big ass checks. It's still an awesome move.

The rest of the cash will go toward relief efforts in Seattle, Michigan and Los Angeles, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk.

Ballmer is the latest big name in the sports world to pitch in -- just yesterday, Drew Brees pledged $5 MILLION to the State of Louisiana.

Conor McGregor, Rihanna, Kylie Jenner and more have also opened up their wallets.

LET'S GO!!!!

NOOOOO!!!!

Doris Burke -- America's most beloved sportscaster (sorry Joe Buck) -- just revealed she tested positive for coronavirus ... but she's already on the mend!

54-year-old Burke -- who's been calling NBA games for years -- appeared on "The Woj Pod" and spelled it out to Adrian Wojnarowski.

"I did test positive for COVID-19 and basically, my first symptoms looking back on it was March 11, which was the day I was broadcasting Denver at Dallas, which was obviously when Rudy Gobert tested positive," Burke said.

Burke says it took several days before she got her test results back -- finally, the Health Dept. called her with the news.

"So, the delay of the test results allowed me to wrap my mind around the idea that I did have this. I basically was in my own bedroom, by myself, for 2 weeks away from my daughter and her fiance. My daughter was the one cooking me meals, bringing me everything, and we're gonna continue the social distance. I am out of my room. Thank God."

Huge news out of Utah ... where the state Dept. of Health says it has "cleared" Jazz players and staff to leave isolation after 2 players tested positive for coronavirus.

Remember, Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell were the first two NBA athletes to test positive for COVID-19 roughly 2 weeks ago, prompting the league to postpone the season indefinitely.

The rest of the Utah Jazz team -- including players, coaches and staff -- were all tested and ordered into isolation to try and reduce the chances of exposing anyone else.

But, Friday morning, the Utah Dept. of Health gave the green light to rejoin their families.

"As of today, Friday, March 27, all Utah Jazz players and staff have been cleared by the Utah Department of Health after completing their respective periods of isolation and quarantine following exposure to COVID-19."

"In accordance with CDC and NBA recommendations, all players and staff will continue to practice social distancing while limiting time outside of their homes to essential activities."

WNBA hoops fans rejoice -- the league's draft is still set to go down next month ... but the whole thing is gonna be a virtual affair.

The league announced the major changes to the April 17 event on Thursday ... saying all the prospects will tune in remotely due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"The WNBA draft is a time to celebrate the exceptional athletes whose hard work and dreams are realized with their selections in the draft,” WNBA commish Cathy Engelbert said in a statement.

“Safeguarding the health and well-being of our prospects, players, employees, and everyone connected to our game as well as the general public is paramount. With that in mind, we will work diligently with our broadcast partner, ESPN, to create a memorable but virtual event that appropriately honors these accomplished athletes.”

The league also announced plans to honor Kobe and Gigi Bryant, as well as Gigi's teammates, Alyssa Altobelli and Payton Chester, who tragically passed away in the January helicopter accident.

Of course, Kobe was a huge advocate for the WNBA ... and Gigi seemed destined to follow in her father's footsteps and play pro ball.

NBA star-turned-marijuana mogul Al Harrington says his Viola company's sales are through the roof since the coronavirus scare took over the U.S. ... and now he's scrambling to meet the demand.

Of course, Harrington has turned into a highly successful weed advocate and entrepreneur in his post-playing days ... sharing the medical benefits for athletes, as well as, the average folk.

We spoke with Harrington about the insane demand for cannabis products right now -- after all, EVERYBODY is stressing out over COVID-19 -- and he says his sales have DOUBLED.

"The challenge is gonna be making sure that we can keep up with the demand at this point," Harrington tells TMZ Sports.

"Everybody is stocking up on their favorite brands. I feel like the 'canna-curious' is really steppin' up right now, especially when you're stuck in the house with your kids 24 hours a day."

Harrington says the weed industry is booming just like toilet paper ... with people stocking up and worrying about when they'll be able to get more.

Harrington says his employees are following all the restrictions and taking extra steps to make sure they're safe during the pandemic ... but hopes the government continues to allow them to stay open as an "essential" business.

NBA superstar Joel Embiid is gunning to help those in need "do a 180" during the coronavirus pandemic ... donating HALF A MILLION DOLLARS to medical relief.

But, the 76ers center isn't stopping there -- the 26-year-old is vowing to financially support team staffers who have been asked to take a pay cut during the NBA suspension.

As Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday morning ... 76ers employees who make more than $50k a year are being required to accept a 20% salary reduction ... and the remaining staffers have been asked to voluntarily take the cut.

The amount Embiid will shell out for his fellow Sixers employees will depend on how many will need financial support during the league's hiatus.

Embiid joins fellow NBA superstars like Kevin Love, Zion Williamson and Giannis Antetokounmpo who have vowed to support arena and team staffers during the coronavirus suspension.

Great news for Charles Barkley ... the NBA legend says he does NOT have the coronavirus -- saying his test results came back negative Monday morning.

"I’d like to thank everyone for reaching out and expressing your concern and support," Chuck said in a statement. "You all be safe and please take the necessary actions to help ensure your well-being."

The 57-year-old was concerned earlier this month that he might have contracted the virus ... this after he said he experienced flu-like symptoms after some cross-country traveling.

Barkley told his "NBA on TNT" co-hosts on March 12 he wasn't feeling well ... and that he was self-quarantining just in case he did have the virus.

But, Charles said he's all good this week ... "I’ve received my COVID-19 test results this morning & they are negative."

Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union aren't letting quarantine crush their competitive spirit -- they're still that couple that goes head-to-head ... it's just in their living room now.

Gabby and D-Wade set up their own version of pop-a-shot -- clearly jonesin' for an arcade or even a real hard court, but making necessary adjustments due to the coronavirus pandemic.

We won't give away who won the husband-wife shootout, but we'll say this ... Gabrielle ain't no chump from three-point land. She also seems like a wannabe color commentator, based on her call while Dwyane was shooting.

It looks like 12-year-old Zaya is on the action, too ... we think that's her holding up the hoop for pops and Gabrielle.