TMZ Sports - Page 7

The NBA acknowledged the two tragic losses in the family ahead of Tuesday's playoff game ... with the San Antonio Spurs honoring both Brandon Clarke and Jason Collins prior to tipoff against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The fans at Frost Bank Center took part in a moment of silence for both players ... with P.A. announcer Roland Ruiz addressing the news with heartfelt words about both pros.

"The NBA family mourns the passing of two if its own -- Brandon Clarke, a beloved member of the Memphis Grizzlies since 2019, whose leadership and passion earned him respect throughout the Memphis community and around the league, passed away at the age of 29, and 13-year NBA player and NBA Cares ambassador Jason Collins died after a long battle with brain cancer," the Ruiz announced.

Taylor Swift was giving off major bridal era vibes in NYC on Tuesday as her wedding to Travis Kelce grows closer and closer.

The pop superstar was decked out in a form-fitting white mini dress as she and her friends, including BFF Ashley Avignone, went for dinner at Manhattan's Via Carota restaurant.

Check out the photos ... Taylor looks like she's ready to walk down the aisle in her $398 Retrofête dress as she makes her way inside the West Village eatery with Ashley just steps behind. Taylor also sported black Gucci high heels with a Dior bag slung over her shoulder.

They say dancing is the best medicine -- but it's also apparently the go-to workout for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models -- 'cause Alix Earle says weeks of shakin' it on TV got her ready for her cover shoot!!

TMZ Sports caught up with the influencer out in NYC on Tuesday ... and had to ask how she prepared her body for being one of four beauties getting honored with the spotlight in 2026.

Her workout routine?? "Dancing With The Stars!!"

Brandon Clarke's body has officially been cleared to be released to his family ... but the mystery surrounding his sudden death remains unclear.

According to the Los Angeles Medical Examiner's website, the ME has declared the NBA star's body ready for release, however his cause and manner of death is currently deferred ... pending additional testing as authorities investigate.

As we previously reported, Clarke’s death came just days before he was due in court to face multiple criminal charges, including trafficking a controlled substance and felony fleeing.

The Los Angeles Fire Department PIO confirmed to TMZ Sports they responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, the 29-year-old male was declared deceased.

TMZ Sports confirmed his death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at.

Jason Collins -- the NBA's first openly gay player -- has died at 47 years old after a battle with brain cancer, the league announced.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement on the loss ... saying, "Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations."

"He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador," he added. "Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others."

Brandon Clarke -- power forward for the Memphis Grizzlies -- died on Monday, TMZ Sports has learned. He was only 29 years old.

His passing is being investigated as a possible overdose.

Clarke was the 21st overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder, and immediately traded to Memphis.

Brandon Clarke's death is being investigated as a possible overdose ... with officials finding drug paraphernalia inside the home the Memphis Grizzlies player was staying at on Monday, TMZ Sports has confirmed.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a medical emergency call around 5 PM on Monday ... and when paramedics got to the scene, Clarke was declared deceased, first reported by NBC4.

An autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death.

The NBA is devastated by Brandon Clarke's death ... with the Memphis Grizzlies player's teammates over the years sharing heartfelt tributes on social media.

Kyle Anderson, who had two stints with the Grizzlies, said he was "so f***in hurt" by the loss ... adding, "I love u so much brother i wish i coulda been there for u im so f***in hurt man."

Ja Morant published a picture of them together with a caption that read, "love you broski. gone way too soon. it's bigger than basketball."

"still our goat BC15."

Brandon Clarke was seemingly happy and healthy in the days leading up to his tragic death at just 29 years old, his barber tells TMZ Sports.

Clarke, who passed away Monday night in the Los Angeles area, had been staying in the city with one of his friends from college ... and Brandon seemed to be enjoying the offseason.

In fact, we talked to the guy who cut Brandon's hair on Friday, and he says the hooper seemed perfectly content during the appointment.

The barber says the guys even watched the NBA Playoffs during the haircut, tuning in to the Spurs vs. Timberwolves game.

TMZ Sports broke the story on Tuesday ... Clarke passed away early Monday evening, leaving the sports world stunned.

Everyone from Brandon's teammates to the Grizzlies, and even the NBA expressed condolences over the horrible news.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Brandon Clarke. As one of the longest-tenured members of the Grizzlies, Brandon was a beloved teammate and leader who played the game with enormous passion and grit," commish Adam Silver said.

"Our thoughts and sympathies are with Brandon’s family, friends and the Grizzlies organization.”

Prosecutors will get the chance to see Tiger Woods' prescription drug records, a judge has ruled.

In a hearing at Martin County Circuit Court in Florida on Tuesday, the judge granted the state's request to subpoena records of Tiger's meds as part of their DUI investigation.

The judge gave prosecutors permission to access his prescription records on file at Lewis Pharmacy in Palm Beach ... following his arrest in Florida earlier this year.

The fallout continues over a controversial George Floyd joke made by Tony Hinchcliffe at "The Roast of Kevin Hart" ... with fellow stand-up comic and actor Lil Rel calling the moment gross ... and shaming the crowd for not booing.

Lil Rel posted his thoughts to Instagram on Tuesday morning ... saying he found the moment so "disgusting," he wondered what he would have done had he been there ... but he's pretty sure he already knew.

If you didn't watch Sunday's live roast on Netflix ... Hinchcliffe proclaimed to Hart ... "The Black community is so proud of you… right now George Floyd is looking up at us all laughing so hard he can't breathe."

Hilary Duff's "luck ... or something" isn't running out anytime soon -- the former Disney star is now a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model!!

The publication shared the big news on Tuesday ... making the announcement alongside some jaw-dropping behind-the-scenes shots of the actress/singer showing off her beach bod as she posed for the camera.

Duff was in South Caicos for her shoot ... with Kat Irlin snapping the shots.

Craig Morton -- the former Denver Broncos quarterback who led them to their first Super Bowl appearance -- has died.

He passed on Saturday surrounded by his loved ones in Mill Valley, California, according to the Broncos.

A cause of death was not immediately revealed.

Luka Doncic just revealed his fight for his daughters has forced him to back out of playing for his national team this summer ... explaining his kids "will always come first in my life" as he seeks joint custody.

Doncic -- who missed the Lakers' entire playoff run with a hamstring injury -- dropped the statement after L.A.'s season came to an end at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday ... saying his focus is on his family this offseason, and he loves his little ones "more than anything."

"As I continue working toward joint custody of my daughters, I have been forced to make a difficult decision between traveling and playing for the Slovenian national team and being with my daughters this summer," Doncic said. "Unfortunately, it has been made extremely difficult for me to see them over the past eight months."

Cody Simpson has suffered a major blow to his musical comeback -- he's suffering from a vocal cord hemorrhage, leaving him unable to sing and forcing him to cancel upcoming shows.

The Aussie pop star shared the news of his injury on social media Monday ... telling fans he was overzealous in the studio and sang through a sinus infection he didn't know he had. He explained he "assumed it was just fatigue and kept showing up to the studio until one day I could no longer sing."

He noted he's been on and off vocal rest for the last month, and was just prescribed another 2 weeks of silence in hopes of avoiding surgery. He said this has delayed his work on his upcoming album and new singles ... but he's doing all he can with instrumentals for the time being.

Hulk Hogan's former accountant is facing a slew of federal charges for allegedly stealing more than $890,000 from a "public figure" in Florida, TMZ Sports has learned.

The wrestling legend is not identified as the victim.

Melissia Gauthreaux has been charged with six counts of wire fraud, after the feds say she used her business, Accounting Resources and Management Services, to embezzle enormous amounts of money between 2017 and 2021.