TMZ Sports - Page 5

Dwight Howard is mourning the loss of his beloved dog, Sunday ... saying his companion was tragically killed in an alleged hit-and-run over the weekend.

The NBA center shared the sad news with his Instagram followers on Wednesday, posting several photos and videos of the good times with his Belgian Malinois.

Howard -- now playing in the BIG3 league after 18 NBA seasons -- said Sunday lost her life on June 18 in Suwanee, Georgia, after she was allegedly struck by a car that didn't stop.

Ace Bailey reportedly wanted NOTHING to do with the Utah Jazz prior to Wednesday night's draft ... so how did he feel about the organization taking him with the fifth pick??

Well, if you believe the former Rutgers star ... he's calling it a "blessing" nonetheless.

Bailey met with the media after he walked the stage at Barclays Center ... and all things considered, he appeared to be in great spirits.

V.J. Edgecombe couldn't hold back the tears after the Sixers drafted him with the third overall pick in the NBA Draft ... crying on live TV as he thanked his mom for all her sacrifices -- and it was super sweet!

The star Bahamian athlete walked up on the Barclays Center's stage on Wednesday and shook commish Adam Silver's hand after Philadelphia pulled the trigger on the 6'5" guard.

Edgecombe's mom started the waterworks ... as she witnessed her son's dreams come true -- a moment that deeply moved V.J. during his post-draft interview with Taylor Rooks.

Dillon Brooks' split with the mother of his children has gotten even nastier ... TMZ Sports has learned the NBA star is now asking for a restraining order against his ex.

Brooks filed for the TRO in Los Angeles on Wednesday ... alleging Heather Andrews -- who he shares a 5-year-old and a 2-year-old with -- has destroyed his belongings, hacked into his social media accounts, and even once threatened to cut off his fingers.

Brooks said in his request he met Andrews back in 2018 at a Las Vegas nightclub and started dating her a short time later. He said within months, she got pregnant with their first child ... and, around that time, he claimed her harassment of him began.

The stars have begun to arrive in Venice for the ultra-luxe wedding of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez!

Check out our gallery ... the who's who are traveling to the Floating City in droves to witness the billionaire lovebirds say "I do."

We caught Kim and Khloe Kardashian smiling as they surfaced at Marco Polo Airport ... Kim wearing a two-piece set from Balenciaga and KoKo showing off her assets in a skin-tight cheetah-print mini-dress. Their mother, Kris Jenner, also appeared to be in high spirits as she rocked a flowing, comfy-for-travel gown.

It was the biggest night of Dylan Harper's life on Wednesday ... and the same can be said for his mom, Maria, who wound up being the most viral moment of the NBA Draft!!

The 19-year-old Rutgers star didn't have to wait long to have his name called at Barclays Center -- once Cooper Flagg went to the Dallas Mavericks, Harper was right behind as the San Antonio Spurs' No. 2 selection.

After Harper walked the stage, ESPN got a brief interview with most of his family ... and Maria -- who has two kids with ex-NBA player Ron Harper -- immediately took social media by storm.

LSU pitcher Kade Anderson is loving the comparisons he's been getting to former Tigers stars Paul Skenes and Joe Burrow ... telling TMZ Sports he considers the two to be "legends."

The 20-year-old just wrapped up his sophomore season in Baton Rouge with a national championship ... and now, many expect him to be the top pick in next month's MLB draft.

With those predictions, he's unsurprisingly garnered comps to Skenes and Burrow -- two LSU alums who went No. 1 overall in their respective drafts -- and he told us on Wednesday he was super flattered to be even mentioned alongside those greats.

It's been a foregone conclusion for months, but the Mavericks made it official tonight ... selecting Duke University star Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft!

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced Dallas' selection from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY ... shocking absolutely nobody, as nearly everyone viewed the 18-year-old as the consensus top pick.

And, as if going first isn't enough pressure by itself ... Flagg will be expected to fill the shoes of Luka Doncic, after the former Mavs superstar was traded to the Lakers for Anthony Davis in February.

Joe Rogan talked with cops after Liver King challenged him to a fight via social media ... and Joe told police the fitness influencer appeared to be "significantly unstable."

According to new legal docs, obtained by TMZ, cops in Austin, Texas say the former "Fear Factor" host told them he interpreted Liver King's string of social media rants as threatening ... which is why cops were called and eventually led to LK being arrested on a charge of making a terroristic threat.

Police say Joe told them he'd never had any sort of contact with Liver King -- real name Brian Johnson -- and was unaware why he'd "be targeting him" ... and cops say Rogan went on to tell them he'd been told Liver King "has a significant drug issue."

The 2025 NBA Draft is here ... and this year's prospects made sure to arrive in style -- from diamonds to designer shades and shirtless looks!!

Let's start with Jeremiah Fears -- the former Oklahoma guard wore a maroon Gucci suit and iced-out "0" chain from AI the Jeweler of Labelle Jewelry in Totowa, NJ ... a centerpiece made of 30 carats of VS baguette diamonds.

Colorado State's Dominique Clifford had a colorful look ... going with a faded purple and pink blazer, while Georgetown's Thomas Sorber used the inside of his jacket to highlight his career moments.

Cooper Flagg is reaping the benefits of being the (super likely) No. 1 overall pick -- the former Duke star is BOSS' newest ambassador ... and is commemorating the deal by repping the brand at the NBA Draft!!

All eyes will be on Flagg at the Barclays Center on Wednesday ... with his name expected to be called when the Dallas Mavericks submit their selection in a matter of hours.

TMZ Sports has learned Flagg -- the National College Player of the Year -- chose to keep it slick and smooth with an Italian three-piece stretch wool suit by BOSS, along with a slim-fit shirt and Italian-made silk jacquard tie.

Fantastic news from Jim Ross -- the legendary wrestling commentator just revealed he's cancer-free after undergoing surgery to combat the disease last month.

The 73-year-old AEW talent opened up on his health status during his "Grilling JR" podcast ... where he said his colon cancer is "gone, which I'm very happy to say," according to Wrestling News.

Ross added he's feeling so good, he's eyeing being back on the AEW mic next month at "All In" -- a goal he voiced during last week's show.

Move over, Chiefs ... one Kelce brother is all briefs now!!

Travis Kelce's older bro, Jason, made a helluva entrance at a charity event in Sea Isle City on Wednesday ... stripping down to a pair of tiny, U.S.A-themed undies to get the party started.

He, at first, had shorts on when he entered his annual Team 62 at the Ocean Drive celebrity bartending shindig -- but in order to rile up the crowd, he tore 'em off to reveal far more of him than the public's used to seeing.

Pacman Jones went off on cops during his public intoxication arrest earlier this month -- unleashing a verbal tirade on them before throwing elbows at one ... and his wild behavior was all captured on police video that TMZ Sports has just obtained.

Cops initially stopped the former NFL star in Covington, Ky. on June 7 to question him about a dispute at a nearby bar ... and almost immediately, Jones became combative.

You can see in the body camera footage, he raised his voice and attempted to walk away ... but he was able to briefly calm down to explain his side of the situation to officers.

Uhh, that's awkward! U.S. sprinter Chris Robinson experienced a wardrobe malfunction during a race on Tuesday ... the ol' frank and beans slipped out of his shorts in the middle of a race!!!

Despite the X-rated accident, Robinson wasn't deterred, still crossing the finish line in first place.

The mishap, at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic, was captured on TV ... as the 24-year-old competed in the 400 m hurdles event.

Former Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales' sexual assault conviction was upheld on Wednesday ... after his appeal was rejected by Spain's High Court.

According to Reuters, the court denied multiple appeals against Rubiales' conviction ... standing with the original ruling that he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during post-match celebrations at the 2023 World Cup in Sydney.

The 47-year-old was found guilty in February ... resulting in a fine and an order to stay 656 feet away from Hermoso and cut all communication for a year.