NBA

NBA star Karl-Anthony Towns made a political statement at the Super Bowl -- making sure everyone knew he was rooting for the Eagles ... and Meek Mill.

KAT, flanked by his smokin' hot GF, came to the big game reppin' a "Free Meek Mill" Eagles jersey -- a public sign of support for the imprisoned Philly rapper (and unofficial team rapper).

He wasn't the only one -- NFL studs Todd Gurley and Melvin Ingram also came through U.S. Bank Stadium rockin' Meek ... while LeBron shouted out the #FreeMeek movement on social media.

Of course, Towns was also PUMPED on the outcome of the game ... yelling like a maniac and proudly proclaiming, "I ain't never been so happy!"

Cops have launched an investigation into the car crash that killed ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife Leah LaBelle ... and they're retracing the couple's steps that night to find out exactly what went down.

We've learned investigators have visited several businesses near the crash site in Studio City, CA -- including a popular bowling alley where the couple was spotted earlier in the evening.

We know what you're thinking -- was alcohol involved? We're told cops are not specifically looking for proof Butler was boozing before the crash ... they'll know from the toxicology report.

The priority, we're told, is finding video of the couple in the car right before the crash -- in order to see what specifically caused the Range Rover to lose control and crash.

Meanwhile, we're told the autopsies on both Rasual and Leah have been completed -- and the medical examiner has said the cause is "multiple traumatic injuries" and listed the manner of death as an "accident."

HE NEVER MISSES!!!

Steph Curry's wife Ayesha has announced she's pregnant again!

Ayesha broke the news on Instagram saying, "Heyyyy how did this happen?! Curry party of 5. Feeling very blessed... and very sick. Yippie! #curryfor3."

Fetus Curry is the couple's 3rd kid -- she (or he) has got two big sisters ... 5-year-old Riley Elizabeth and 2-year-old Ryan Carson.

The kid will no doubt be adorable because that's just how things run in their family.

Steph and Ayesha were married in 2011 -- they met at a church camp when they were teenagers.

Charles Oakley is officially off the hook in his criminal assault case stemming from his altercation with NY Knicks owner Jimmy Dolan at Madison Square Garden last year ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Oakley was arrested back in February 2017 for getting physical with security who tried to remove him from MSG after a heated exchange with Dolan. It took an army of security to subdue Oakley.

The ex-Knicks star was charged with assault, harassment and criminal trespass ... but accepted an ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal) -- which would expunge the arrest from his record if he agreed to keep his nose clean for 6 months.

If he didn't accept the ACD, Oak would've been facing a maximum of 1 year in city jail if convicted.

Now that time is up -- and Oak held up his end of the deal ... so his case has been thrown out.

Kenny Smith says he's still reeling from the "horrific situation" that claimed Rasual Butler's life ... and he's expecting the NBA to honor Rasual in a big way.

"Overall, the NBA community will step up. We'll do something on TNT," Kenny said.

Condolences poured in Wednesday from ex-teammates and legends like Shaq, Kobe and Allen Iverson ... and the Miami Heat were the first team to put together a video tribute.

The Jet says fans should expect a lot more of that -- because "everybody loved him."

Tracy McGrady tells TMZ Sports ... Blake Griffin has every right to be upset with the Clippers -- because learning that you've been traded on Twitter is "very disrespectful."

"For somebody that got that type of history with the organization, he's the one that really started to get the Clippers on a winning path ... yeah, that's very disrespectful."

McGrady's reacting to Blake's claim that he first heard he'd been shipped to Detroit on social media -- instead of getting a call from the Clippers, where he's been playing since 2009.

Still, McGrady thinks the Clips need to do Blake right and retire his jersey at some point.

The big question ... whose number goes into the rafters first -- Blake or Elton Brand??

Even McGrady has a hard time with this one ...

Stephen A. Smith says he's devastated over the death of his friend Rasual Butler -- telling TMZ Sports they knew each other for years ... and the NBA player was a really good dude.

"Just incredibly sad," the ESPN star said ... "He's a good guy. We have Philly roots together. I've known him for many years. I love his wife. Love his family."

"The world lost a good brother."

TMZ Sports broke the story ... Butler lost control of his Range Rover in Studio City, CA early Wednesday morning and slammed into a wall -- killing him and his wife, who was a passenger in the car.

Ex-NBA player Rasual Butler and his wife -- a singer who appeared on "American Idol" -- were both killed in a single car crash in Studio City, CA early Wednesday morning, TMZ Sports has learned.

38-year-old Butler -- who was drafted by the Miami Heat in 2002 -- lost control of his Range Rover around 2 AM, struck a parking meter and slammed into a wall. The car flipped.

Officers believe the car was speeding before it lost control.

Butler had a long NBA career after an impressive run at La Salle -- where he was a 2-time First Team All-Atlantic 10 Player. He's a member of the La Salle Hall of Athletics.

He went on to play in the NBA until 2016 -- with stints on the Hornets, Clippers, Bulls, Raptors, Pacers, Wizards and Spurs.

Rasual most recently played in Ice Cube's BIG3 league.

Butler's wife Leah LaBelle, 31, was an R&B singer who was signed to Epic Records. She placed 12th on the 3rd Season of "American Idol" back in 2004.

Rasual is survived by a daughter from a previous relationship, Raven Butler.

R.I.P.

Rasual Butler's death is hitting the NBA hard -- with his friends and former teammates sending their condolences to Butler's family.

John Wall -- "I will always remember the time we shared together as teammates, you were the big brother. I appreciate the advice you shared, not just about basketball but life. Sending my deepest condolences to the families of Rasual and Leah. May you both rest in peace."

Blake Griffin -- "You were a great teammate and an even better person. Rest in peace my friend."

LaMarcus Aldridge -- "Devastated to hear the news about the passing of my former teammate, Rasual, & his wife. My thoughts and prayers go out to their families during this difficult time. Rasual was an amazing teammate and an even better person. He will truly be missed!"

Kyle Lowry -- "I remember I called you when you got drafted on draft night and I was at a camp and I wanted to show off because I knew you and you answered the phone for a 16 year old who was one of your biggest fans.. this is truly a sad day for me !! RIP Sual bop my oldhead!!"

Austin Rivers -- "It was a pleasure meeting you man. Getting to work with you last year was amazing. For you were not only a knowledgeable player....but more so a great man! Smh Crazy this just happened. May you and your wife RIP in heaven."

Kevin Love -- "Incredibly sad news to hear about Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. Prayers to both of their families through this tough time."

Ray Allen -- "I cannot believe this!!!!!!!!!My heart is heavy!!! We lost a good one today! RIP Rasual you were such a great talent on the court but an even better man off it! My thoughts are with the entire Butler family as they mourn the tragic loss of their son/brother and his beautiful wife, Leah. Gone too soon. Rest in power."

Reggie Miller -- "Saddened by the news and the loss of Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. Talk about a great dude and family man. I know he had many stops during his 13 year NBA journey, but he was beloved becasue of his work ethic in Indiana. New guardian Angels."

Paul Pierce -- "So sad this morning to here about my friend and teammate 😢 RIP Rasual Butler appreciate the people around u because u never know."

Chauncey Billups -- "I’m shocked, saddened and in disbelief about the news on my friend Rasual Butler and his wife Leah. May God be with their families. We will miss you 'Sul.'"

Allen Iverson -- "Rest easy my brother. See you when I get there!!!"

Shaq -- "Still can’t believe the news about my main man SOOL BOP. #riprasualbutler🏀#THELILHOMIEFROMPHILLY."

Kobe Bryant -- "Rest In Peace my brother #RasualButler."

Miami Heat -- "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. Our sincere condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to the family and many friends of Rasual and Leah. They will be missed."

L.A. Clippers -- "The L.A. Clippers are deeply saddened by the loss of Rasual Butler and his wife, Leah LaBelle. Rasual will long be remembered not only for his accomplishments on the court, but for his vibrant personality, positive outlook and the compassion he had for everyone around him."

Looks like the players who got traded for Blake Griffin ain't too broke up about leaving the Motor City ... 'cause they're already exploring the L.A. hot spots the day after the deal!

L.A., meet Boban Marjanovic, Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris -- the 3 ex-Pistons who will attempt to pick up the pieces left by Lob City.

TMZ Sports spotted the trio out at Toca Madera in Beverly Grove Tuesday night ... and though they weren't too talkative, it's clear they're already enjoying that West Coast livin'.

Hopefully they can cheer up DeAndre Jordan ...

Ex-NBA star Ben Gordon has officially been hit with multiple criminal charges stemming from his robbery arrest in L.A. back in November, TMZ Sports has learned.

We broke the story ... the former Chicago Bulls star was arrested at a downtown L.A. apartment building after allegedly pulling a knife on the building manager, punching him in the face and demanding his security deposit back. He allegedly made off with a couple thousand dollars.

The case was kicked over to the L.A. City Attorney's Office which decided to move forward with 4 misdemeanor charges against Gordon -- battery, brandishing a weapon, criminal threats and carrying a knife in plain view.

We're told if he's convicted on all counts, he faces up to 3 years behind bars.

Blake Griffin shouldn't be mad at Lolo Jones for outing him as a bad kisser -- he should use it as a teachable moment and IMPROVE his lip game ... so says Marlon Wayans.

First off, Marlon was SHOCKED Lolo would do Blake dirty in public when we told him what Lolo said about BG on social media. But after he processed the news, Marlon gives a pretty hilarious message to the ex-Clipper star.

"Blake, brah ... gotta get your kiss game on!"

In other words, "She woulda traded you to Detroit, basically."

As if Blake Griffin's week couldn't get any worse, U.S. Olympic star Lolo Jones just went all the way IN on the hooper ... calling him the "worst date ever" and a "terrible kisser."

Griffin was part of a blockbuster trade from the Clippers to the Pistons on Monday ... which Lolo apparently thought was the perfect time to reveal her bad experience with B.G.

Sources tell us the two went on a date "years ago" -- and Lolo's post was a "half joke."

Wonder if Blake's half-laughing?

DeAndre Jordan didn't just sit at home and sulk after his Clippers teammate (and good friend), Blake Griffin, was traded to Detroit ... he hit the town -- but wasn't his usual happy self.

DJ rolled into Nice Guy in West Hollywood -- one of the hottest nightspots in town -- but didn't want to talk about the blockbuster deal that went down just hours before.

He was equally quiet on the way out ... as he got in to a waiting, decked-out sprinter van and drove off into the night. Though he did stop to dap up some waiting fans.

Lonzo Ball's international rap career just got the seal of approval from a pretty big rap star ... 'cause Tyga says he 100% supports Zo's upcoming Lithuania show.

Remember -- Lonzo video'd in during Lithuania's equivalent of the Grammys last week, and revealed he's planning a summer concert in the tiny country where his bros are ballin' out.

Seemed like a weird spot to hold his first live set ... but Tyga doesn't think so.

Zion Williamson is gonna be great at Duke ... but we gotta pump the breaks on hailing him as the next LeBron -- so says Grant Hill.

We got the Duke legend at LAX a couple days after Zion committed to the Blue Devils ... and Grant was pumped on Coach K locking down yet another elite prospect.

"I hope the rims are ready in Cameron," Hill told TMZ Sports.

But Grant says that even though Zion's got the tools to be a king -- athleticism, size, explosiveness -- expecting him to become THE King is too much, especially this early (remember O.J. Mayo??).

Fair enough, but the kid definitely passes the eye test ...