Detroit Tigers left-hander Framber Valdez was suspended five games and fined by Major League Baseball after being ejected for hitting Boston Red Sox shortstop Trevor Story with a 94 mph fastball during a 10-3 loss at Comerica Park. MLB initially handed Valdez a six-game ban that was reduced to five following an agreement between the league and the players’ association; Tigers manager A.J. Hinch was also fined and given a one-game suspension. The incident came in the fourth inning after Valdez had surrendered back-to-back home runs and ultimately allowed a career-high 10 runs in the outing. Benches cleared but no punches were thrown. Valdez has denied the throw was intentional, saying through an interpreter the pitch “came out of my hand,” while Story and Boston’s coaching staff said the evidence suggested intent. The disciplinary action began immediately; Valdez will miss multiple starts during Detroit’s thin rotation as several Tigers starters are on the injured list. MLB did not disclose the fine amounts.

The New York Knicks clinched their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1999 by sweeping the Cleveland Cavaliers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference finals, closing the series with a 130-93 rout in Game 4 in Cleveland on May 26, 2026. The victory capped an 11-game postseason winning streak for New York, one of the most dominant runs in NBA history — the Knicks outscored opponents by a staggering margin across that stretch. Jalen Brunson was named Eastern Conference finals MVP after averaging roughly 25.5 points and 7.8 assists in the series. Key contributors included Karl-Anthony Towns, Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby, with reserve Landry Shamet delivering timely 3-point shooting. New York will await the Western Conference champion — either the San Antonio Spurs or defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, tied 2-2 in their series — with Game 1 of the NBA Finals scheduled for June 3. The sweep gives the Knicks extra rest and continuity as they prepare for their third Finals appearance in franchise history and a chance at their first title since 1973.

Essendon Football Club on May 26, 2026 confirmed it has parted ways with senior coach Brad Scott with more than a year left on his contract after the Bombers managed just one win in their past 24 matches and sit bottom of the AFL ladder. The board, led by president Andrew Welsh, said a “fresh voice” was needed after worrying trends in defence and lack of progress against club KPIs. Assistant Dean Solomon has been named interim coach ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Coast. Reports say Scott will receive a significant payout that will hit the club’s soft-cap — estimates range from about A$1.3m to as high as A$2m. Welsh told media the club is not ruling anyone in or out as a successor and confirmed he had not yet spoken to former coach and club great James Hird, whose name has been widely floated among supporters and pundits. The decision follows a six‑week reversal from public board endorsement of Scott and comes amid broader scrutiny of list management, player discontent (including recurrent trade speculation around Zach Merrett) and the Bombers’ wider rebuild.

The Vegas Golden Knights erased a 3-0 first-period deficit to beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 in Game 3 of the Western Conference Final on Sunday night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Mark Stone returned from a lower-body injury and scored on the power play 19 seconds into the second period, sparking a three-goal run that tied the game. William Karlsson and Keegan Kolesar also scored in the second, and Tomas Hertl delivered the go-ahead goal at 8:21 of the third period. Brett Howden added an empty-netter to seal the win. The game featured a disputed waved-off Pavel Dorofeyev power-play goal in the first and growing concern for Colorado after Nathan MacKinnon sustained a right-leg/blocked-shot injury and was questionable afterward. Vegas’ special teams — including a frequently used five-forward power-play look — have been a postseason strength (around a 25% conversion rate), leaving the Golden Knights one win from their third Stanley Cup Final in nine seasons as they head into Game 4 on Tuesday.

Houston Astros pitchers Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and rookie Alimber Santa combined to no‑hit the Texas Rangers in a 9-0 victory on May 26 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Imai worked six hitless innings, issuing four walks and striking out two, before Okert closed the seventh and Santa — making his major‑league debut — fired two perfect innings to complete the bid. Christian Walker homered for a three‑run blow and Yordan Alvarez added a solo shot as Houston provided ample run support. The performance marked the majors’ first no‑hitter since Sept. 4, 2024, and the Astros’ 18th overall no‑hitter and fifth combined effort in franchise history. The final out — a called third strike on Brandon Nimmo — was upheld after a video review. The Astros have won four straight and showed improved pitching after a rocky start to the season; Texas was held hitless for the sixth time in franchise history.

May 25, 2026 — Greek swimmer Kristian Gkolomeev produced the lone headline moment at the inaugural Enhanced Games in Las Vegas, posting a 50m freestyle time of 20.81 seconds that was faster than the official world record of 20.88. Organisers rewarded him with a $250,000 event prize and a $1 million ‘world record’ bonus; Enhanced’s pay-outs and use of polyurethane ‘supersuits’ and performance-enhancing substances mean results will not be ratified by World Aquatics, the IOC or WADA. The one-day, invite-only spectacle staged in a purpose-built arena featured 42 athletes across swimming, athletics and weightlifting, with reporting suggesting around three dozen competitors took part in an organised clinical programme of banned substances under medical supervision. Clean athletes also triumphed: US sprinter Fred Kerley won the 100m (9.97) and Hunter Armstrong won the 50m backstroke. Investors linked to the project include high-profile US backers, and organisers contend FDA-approved drugs and medical oversight reduce harm. Sporting authorities have denounced the event and warned participants they risk bans and health consequences; medical experts raised long-term safety concerns.