MON SIX

The NHL reacted swiftly and harshly to the Vegas Golden Knights' "flagrant violations of 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs media regulations," announcing on Friday that the franchise will forfeit a second-round selection in the 2026 NHL Draft.

Head Coach John Tortorella did not meet with the media as prescribed by league policy after his squad eliminated the Anaheim Ducks in Game 6 of their Western Conference semifinal series in Anaheim on Thursday night.

Moreover, the locker room remained closed to media.

In addition, Tortorella, who took over head coaching duties from Bruce Cassidy on March 29, has been fined $100,000.

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"The Golden Knights are aware of today's announcement from the NHL regarding the postgame media availability following Game 6 in Anaheim," the team said on social media. "The organization will have no further comment."

The NHL imposed these penalties after previous warnings to the Golden Knights regarding its media regulations and other associated policies. Vegas may appeal these penalties to the Commissioner's Office in person next week in New York.

The Golden Knights will take on the Colorado Avalanche in the Western Conference Finals, beginning in Denver on Wednesday.

--Field Level Media

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has signed legislation banning the sale and manufacture of certain semi-automatic firearms, prompting immediate lawsuits from gun-rights groups.

Gun Laws Virginia

The limits on “assault firearms,” as they are described by the legislation, are among two dozen new restrictions and regulations on guns enacted by the Democratic governor in her first few months in office. That marks a sharp policy reversal from her Republican predecessor, who had vetoed many similar measures.

“Firearms designed to inflict maximum casualties do not belong on our streets," Spanberger said in a statement Friday. "We are taking this step to protect families and support the law enforcement officers who work every day to keep our communities safe.”

The new gun restrictions move Virginia closer to the likes of California, Illinois and New York, which similarly have full Democratic control of their legislatures and governors' offices. They also highlight a continued national divide on gun policy, as various Republican-led states have taken steps to relax firearm restrictions that they describe as an infringement on Second Amendment rights.

A dozen states now target semi-automatic firearms

The new Virginia law, which takes effect July 1, will make it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine, for people to buy, sell, transfer, import or manufacture an “assault firearm.”

The measure defines that term to include semi-automatic rifles or pistols with a magazine capacity of more than 15 rounds. It also includes firearms with other characteristics, such as rifles capable of accepting a detachable magazine that have a second handgrip or a collapsible stock. The prohibition also applies to magazines capable of holding more than 15 rounds. For most people, there’s no penalty for merely possessing such weapons.

Eleven other states and Washington, D.C., already havelaws prohibiting the sale an manufactureof certain semi-automatic firearms, though the details vary. Hawaii, for example, prohibits certain semi-automatic pistols and high-capacity magazines, but not semi-automatic rifles.

Gun-rights groups challenge the Virginia law

Legal challenges came swiftly after Spanberger signed the legislation Thursday. The National Rifle Association, joined by other groups, sued in both federal and state court, asserting violations of the right to bear arms.

“The firearms and magazines banned in this law aren’t bizarre and unusual outliers, they’re among the most commonly owned guns and magazines in the country," said Adam Kraut, executive director of the Second Amendment Foundation, which joined the NRA in the federal lawsuit. “They’re owned in the tens of millions by peaceable Americans who use them overwhelmingly lawfully.”

The U.S. Department of Justice alsovowed to sueto block the Virginia law from being enforced.

The Virginia measure would “infringe on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens to enjoy and use AR-15 rifles for lawful purposes by making it a crime to purchase and sell them,” Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the department’s civil rights division, wrote in an April letter to Spanberger.

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Courts have upheld other bans on semi-automatic weapons

So far, laws restricting certain semi-automatic firearms generally have been upheld, including by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers Virginia, Maryland and several additional states.

That appellate court twice upheld a Maryland law banning dozens of types of semi-automatic weapons, describing them a 2024 ruling as “military-style weapons" that are ill-suited for self-defense. It concluded that “the Maryland law fits comfortably within our nation’s tradition of firearms regulation.”

TheU.S. Supreme Court last year declined to heara challenge in that Maryland case. But gun-rights advocates remain hopeful of a different outcome in future cases, noting that three conservative justices on the nine-member court disagreed with the decision and a fourth expressed skepticism that such firearm bans are constitutional.

A change in governor leads to a change in laws

Former Republican Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkinvetoed legislationeach ofthe past two yearsthat would have prohibited the sale of certain semi-automatic firearms.

But Youngkin's term ended in January, and he was succeeded by Spanberger. The transition presented a huge opportunity for advocates of gun restrictions, who already had support within the Democratic-led Legislature.

Spanberger, a former CIA officer and U.S. House member, had previously been a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, a group founded after a shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut claimed the lives of 26 people in 2012. The group lists 20% of the Democrats in the Virginia House as its past volunteers.

"The fact that a former Moms Demand Action volunteer just signed an assault weapons ban in the home state of the NRA speaks volumes about how dramatically the political calculus around gun safety has shifted,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety, the umbrella organization for Moms Demand Action..

Republican states act to expand gun rights

While Virginia tightens gun regulations, many Republican-led states have been expanding gun rights.

On the same day Spanberger signed the semi-automatic firearm restrictions, Missouri's Republican-led Legislature gave final approval to legislation creating a school ranger program that could let trained volunteers carry firearms in schools.

A law signed by Spanberger last month raised the age to purchase a handgun in Virginia from 18 to 21. By contrast, Republican West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey signed a law last month lowering the age from 21 to 18 for carrying concealed guns without a state permit.

Yet another law signed by Spanberger last month opens new grounds for lawsuits against the firearms industry. That came shortly after Republican Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law limiting liability lawsuits against the firearms industry.

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Justin Martinez:Jalen Williams was seen at practice today. Asked Mark Daigneault where Williams is at with his recovery from a Grade 1 left hamstring strain he sustained on April 22: “He’s progressing. Same stuff.I'm not going to give you the blow-by-blow on the details, but he continues to make progress and is doing a great job.”

This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype:Mark Daigneault on Jalen Williams' hamstring strain: 'He's progressing, same stuff'

It's an exciting week on the NFL calendar as bits and pieces of theDetroit Lions' 2026 NFL schedule keep filtering out.

Fans now know that theLions will travel in Week 2to face theBuffalo Billsfor the first game in the new Highmark Stadium. TheLions' Germany gameis also confirmed as a mid-November date on theLions' 2026 schedule.

As attention turns in earnest toward the 2026 season, it's fun to take a peek at the first batch of 2027 NFL mock drafts, too.

CBS released itsinitial 2027 NFL mock draft, usingFanDuel's Super Bowl odds in reverse orderto determine each team's NFL draft slot. The Lions are currently +1700 to win the Super Bowl per FanDuel, meaning Detroit would pick 24th overall in CBS' mock draft.

So, who do the Lions end up with? That would beOregonEDGE Matayo Uiagalelei. Uiagalelei registered 10.5 sacks in 2024 and six sacks and a pair of forced fumbles last season.

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Detroit drafted Derrick Moore to go along with Aidan Hutchinson, but the position has been such a problem for the organization that they may want more aid. In theory, Matayo Uiagalelei and Hutchinson would start with Moore as depth. -Josh Edwards, CBS

It's a long ways off between now and then, so if nothing else, it's just fun to look at these early NFL draft forecasts in order to be able to point back and see either how right or wrong they really were.

The Lions had two obvious areas of need going into the 2026 NFL Draft at offensive tackle and at EDGE. The 2027 NFL Draft could certainly materialize in a similar fashion for the Lions where there's a clear direction the franchise needs to head.

And maybe that's at EDGE once more. But, if the need isn't as clear-cut, that could lead the Lions down the road of best available, which might mean a player like Oregon's Matayo Uiagalelei.

For moreLionscoverage, follow us on X,@TheLionsWire, and give ourFacebookpage a like.Follow Josh on X,@JoshOnLions

This article originally appeared on Lions Wire:Detroit Lions add more pass rush help in early 2027 NFL mock draft

TheDetroit Pistonsbeing back in the playoffs is bringing the big stars out to Little Caesars Arena.

From rappers Eminem and Big Sean to Lions Jahmyr Gibbs and Aidan Hutchinson, from former Michigan Fab Five members Jalen Rose and Jimmy King to executives such as GM's Mary Barra, here are the biggest names, celebrities and athletes we've seen courtside and in the crowd at Pistons playoff games.

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Use the gallery above (or taphere).

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press:Top celebrity sightings at Detroit Pistons playoff games

Momentum has swung sharply in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and suddenly the pressure has shifted back to the Detroit Pistons.

After dropping the first two games of the series on the road, the Cleveland Cavaliers have stormed back to even the best-of-seven matchup at two games apiece entering Game 5 on Wednesday night in Detroit, fueled by dominant second halves, suffocating defense and a takeover performance from Donovan Mitchell.

"It's just a different story 2-2," Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson said. "Game 5 is gonna be tough, and it's in their place, but I think we made a stand winning these two games. So that gives you confidence.

"As difficult as we know it's going to be there, it's a little different playing at home that Game 5, 3-1 and 2-2, a lot different. But we obviously gained some confidence with these two wins, and I think we figured some stuff out, especially offensively and defensively. That gives us confidence going in."

The Cavaliers have yet to win a road game in these playoffs (0-5).

Mitchell overwhelmed Detroit in Monday's 112-103 victory, scoring 21 points in the third quarter alone, matching the Pistons' entire team output in the period. Cleveland opened the second half on a 22-0 run that effectively ended the game before Detroit could respond.

By the end of the night, Mitchell had piled up 39 of his 43 points in the second half while repeatedly attacking the paint and creating space against every defender the Pistons tried.

In a series increasingly defined by star power, Mitchell has seized control over the past two games while Detroit's Cade Cunningham has struggled to find consistent answers against Cleveland's length and defensive pressure.

The Cavaliers also appear to have found their defensive identity again behind Evan Mobley, who finished with five blocks and three steals while helping neutralize Detroit center Jalen Duren, who has struggled to establish an offensive rhythm throughout much of the postseason.

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Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team still has confidence that it can regain control of the series.

"I think we learned from the Orlando series what it's like to be down and the amount of urgency you have to play with, but now you're on the other side of it," Bickerstaff said. "So now you're learning how you have to slow that opponent who's playing with that type of urgency. These are great experiences for us.

"The best part about it is it's now a three-game series, and we got two of them in Detroit. So, we got to make sure we go home and take care of our business."

Detroit's physicality and energy overwhelmed the Cavaliers during the opening two games, but the series has looked dramatically different since shifting to Cleveland. The Cavaliers have controlled the tempo, limited transition opportunities and turned defensive stops into quick scoring bursts.

Turnovers and foul trouble have also plagued the Pistons. In the last two games, they've committed 36 turnovers and been called for 52 fouls.

The question now is whether Detroit can rediscover the edge it held early in the matchup before Cleveland's stars took over.

That challenge may become even more difficult if the Pistons are without starting guard Duncan Robinson, who was added to the injury report Tuesday with lower back soreness. Robinson joined Caris LeVert (heel contusion) and Kevin Huerter (strained abductor) on the report. LeVert had 24 points in Game 4.

The Pistons still have home court and have proven capable of dictating the series with their physical defense and rebounding. But after being thoroughly dominated in the second half of Game 4, Detroit enters Game 5 searching for answers against a Cleveland team that suddenly looks far more comfortable and confident.

--Field Level Media

LOS ANGELES —Tom Bradywas the surprise guest and instant MVP of Netflix's"The Roast of Kevin Hart"on Sunday, May 10.

Wearing all black, the five-time Super Bowl MVP strolled into Los Angeles' Kia Forum to throwsome bombs two years after Kevin Hart hosted"The Greatest Roast of All Time: The Roast of Tom Brady"in the same arena in May 2024. Brady was brutal on Hart during his brief cameo appearance.

"Have you even left The Forum?" Brady asked Hart after entering, "Or have you just been here screaming into that light for the last two years, waiting for Daddy to come home. Well, unlike your real dad, I actually showed up. And I brought you a jersey."

Jelly Roll at Netflix Is a JokeRoasts his own weight loss in NSFW stand-up Netflix concert

Brady then presented the diminutive Hart with a mini-New York Knicks jersey. "That's newborn size," Brady said. "It fits you."

Hart was an infamously harsh host of the 2024 Brady roast, which the former superstar NFL quarterback has not forgotten.

"Didn't you say, 'Time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable,'" Brady said onstage, mocking Hart as host. "Who's squirming in the highchair now? Put a pillow under there to make you look taller."

Brady took issue with the "Jumanji" star Hart following him in the Netflix roast saga.

"I played in the NFL for 23 seasons, but I've never seen anyone drop the ball like this," said Brady. "How did the GOAT roast go from me to you? I won seven Super Bowls; Kevin has made two 'Ride Along' movies. I've won five Super Bowl MVP awards. Kevin, you're the third most famous person in 'Jumanji.'"

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Brady then ripped into Hart's 2026 roasters who included host Shane Gillis, NBA starDraymond Green, Chelsea Handler and lesser-known comics such asSheryl UnderwoodandBig Jay Oakerson.

"Who are these people and how did they get here? I thought they shutdown Spirit Airlines,"said Brady, who called the celebrity line-up "pathetic."

Brady takes a shot at Eagles and Cowboy fans

Brady landed a double NFL jab with a joke about Philadelphia native Hart's love of the NFL Eagles.

"We've got some real Eagles fans here, not like Kevin who shows up for the big games when the Eagles are playing well," said Brady. "We have a name for these fans, they're called 'Cowboys fans.'"

Brady made a move at Hart's wife in the audience

Hart made jokes about Brady's family in the 2024 roast, and Brady returned the favor in 2026.

"Kevin you took a lot of shots at my family in the roast. But I'm too classy to go after your beautiful wife. Or am I?" Brady asked. He located Eniko Hart in the audience and asked smoothly, "What's up girl?"

The comment prompted Hart to yell, "Cut it out!" from his seat.

Brady expressed joy about watching the event and exited the stage unscathed. He gave a final parting shot.

"Payback's a b---- and so are you Kevin Hart," Brady said before exiting. He didn't drop the mic, but he should of.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:'Roast of Kevin Hart' features surprise Tom Brady MVP appearance