Category: News
Chicago Blackhawks let late lead slip away in 4-2 loss to Nashville Predators in rusty return from break
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was 22 days since the Chicago Blackhawks played an NHL game. That changed Thursday night at Bridgestone Arena.
The Hawks’ last game here against the Nashville Predators was a illness-plagued fiasco that saw the visitors win behind goaltender Drew Commesso’s first career NHL shutout. It wasn’t the flu that clouded the Western Conference matchup this time, but rather rust.
While the Hawks’ legs were shaky, Connor Bedard was strong enough to carry the team most of the way. But they fell short in a 4-2 loss in their first game out of the Olympic break.
“I think we all felt pretty good about where we were there, especially when (Tyler Bertuzzi) gets that goal,” Bedard said. “We’ve got to manage it a little better and figure out how to close it out.”
Bertuzzi’s tiebreaking goal at 3:16 of the third period gave the Hawks a 2-1 lead, but the Predators scored three unanswered goals, handing the guests their seventh loss in eight games.
“We’ve got to find a way to win the game, that’s part of this process of growing, (when) you get the lead, you got to find a way to kill the penalty,” Hawks coach Jeff Blashill said. “It’s 2-2 and then we kind of let the third one in there, (so we’ve) got to find a way to win that game.”
Most of the Hawks were skating back into the NHL pace. They filled six minutes of first-period power-play time with minimal shots on goal, giveaways and no goals.
They broke the dam in the third period when Bertuzzi scored his team-leading 26th goal of the season. Still, the Hawks were 1-for-6 on the power play.
It was a mixed bag, with several shots on goal aligned with giveaways and short-handed chances allowed. Blashill is looking for one thing, though, and that’s goals on the man advantage.
“One-for-5 is 20%, you’d like for it to be 2-for-5, but it’s not 0-for-5, it’s not always going to look perfect,” Blashill said. “(Their) penalty kill had something to do with it. It’s something we’re going to continue trying to improve on.”
Predators right winger Matthew Wood scored on the power play at 7:12 to tie the game at 2. From there, the hosts didn’t look back.
“I thought the first half of the game, we kind of hurt ourselves with our puck play,” Blashill said. “I just thought there wasn’t probably enough poise, not enough support (but) I thought as it went along it got better and then we got better.”
Bedard scored his 24th goal of the season — a career high — at 4:13 of the second period off of a Ryan Greene pass from the boards to tie the game 1-1. The star forward was the only one in white who didn’t seem to be affected by the lengthy time off as he sent five shots on goal.
“I thought (André Burakovsky) and (Greene) were unreal tonight, like they have been all year and making it real easy for me,” Bedard said. “I think they set me up for five or six Grade A’s. That’s on me to put one more of those in and maybe it’s a different game.”
Added Blashill: “Created a lot of chances, had a lot of chances, had good jump, that’s the Connor we’ve seen lots of. Good to get him back at center at a full-time basis, (he) took a lot of faceoffs.”
If the Hawks want to start stringing wins together, the rest of the team needs to play with more energy.
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The climb toward the Olympic hockey gold medal showdown began months ago. The US came out on top.
The scoring opened with Predators left winger Filip Forsberg sending an up-close snipe past goaltender Spencer Knight (22 saves) at the 13:50 mark in the first period. Forsberg collected the puck from defenseman Artyom Levshunov, who was forced into a turnover.
It was the blueliner’s first game back from the “program” the team placed him in over the Olympic break. The individual training was meant to improve his balance of offensive and defensive skills.
The turnover was a bad break, but it wasn’t all negative for the defenseman. He stopped an almost certain 2-on-1 short-handed opportunity in the third period.
It’s the ongoing story of trial and error for Levshunov. For each bad play, there’s a flash of potential.
“The guy’s all over him, he probably needs to eat it, but he probably needs better support,” Blashill said of Levshunov’s turnover. “We took off up the ice like there was no pressure, but there was actually tons of pressure.
“I thought he was rusty early. … I thought he got better as the game went along, for sure.”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/27/chicago-blackhawks-nashville-predators-loss/
Asking Eric: How do I get my old friend to take a chill pill?
Dear Eric: I’m an African American man in my late 60s. Nobody would call me the most religious guy on the planet, but the center aisle in the church would not open up and swallow me if I walked in.
I have a white friend, proud of his Jewish heritage, who I have known since we were kids. He spends as much time in the synagogue as I spend in the church (i.e., not much), but he is always holding up his religion as his badge of honor.
Admittedly, as a somewhat non-practitioner, I don’t keep up with the Jewish holidays. He calls me all the time saying “hey, aren’t you going to wish me Happy Chanukah, or happy Rosh Hashanah?”
Tonight, he sent me pictures of some religious celebration. I did a modest perusal in AI but could not find a Jewish holiday that is being celebrated tonight. How do I get my old friend to take a chill pill?
– Not Religious
Dear Not Religious: It sounds like he’s trying to share part of his culture with you. Some Jewish people don’t practice or consider themselves particularly observant but have deep connections to the cultural traditions and history of Judaism. This is very important, as with any other cultural tradition – racial, ethnic, or religious.
So, when he says, “wish me a Happy Chanukah,” he may be saying, “this is a big part of who I am, and it would be meaningful for you to see it and acknowledge it.” Maybe next time consider asking him “what do you do for Chanukah/Purim/et cetera? Tell me what it means to you.” You can also just say, “Happy Chanukkah” and leave it at that.
For holidays you don’t recognize, it’s fine to ask, “what holiday is this?” The internet is also a good resource. I don’t recommend using AI for any information gathering, but there are sites written by humans, like Judaism 101 (jewfaq.org/jewish_holidays), that list major holidays and provide explanations of their importance, if you’re curious.
Dear Eric: My husband and I have enjoyed hosting parties in our home for years. There are some guests that like to bring a bouquet of flowers to thank us. It is a very kind gesture, but to be honest, it’s an inconvenience to deal with flowers while greeting other folks and finishing up last-minute preparations for the gathering.
As alternatives, a small potted plant or flowers in a jar would be another way to thank the hosts without creating extra work.
Of course, we always show appreciation to our guests that bring us bouquets, but would it be rude to give them a vase and scissors and ask them if they could please arrange the flowers? Your thoughts?
– Lover of Flowers and Friends
Dear Flowers and Friends: I don’t think it’s rude at all. Some guests love to be given something to do while the hosts finish preparing dinner. If you can set them up with what they need and they won’t be in your way in the kitchen, hand over a vase without hesitation.
Dear Eric: I’m a retired therapist who specialized in ADHD, with adults and families and couples. I am also ADHD. I wanted to write about a letter from “Tired”, whose friend was recently diagnosed with ADHD and has started using it as an excuse for a new habit of lateness, among other things.
The diagnosis, while in some ways freeing, is an explanation, not an excuse. Most of my ADHD clients worked really hard to learn coping techniques to help them get through their life and work.
There are many behaviors that can be successfully managed. (Timers on our phones work wonders.) This “friend” of Tired’s needs some accountability for her behaviors, and when she received the diagnosis, should have been given some guidance about symptom management.
Dr. Daniel Amen has written several excellent books on ADHD, including tips for families with both children and adults with ADHD.
I am sorry that Tired is going through so much stress. Perhaps it is time to re-evaluate her own needs in this relationship, since her friend is exhibiting so little compassion.
– No Excuses
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Dear No Excuses: Thank you for this informed perspective. One of the issues with which the original letter writer was struggling was the desire to be compassionate and the feeling of being let down by a friend. And compassion goes both ways. While things like lateness can’t always be avoided, it’s important to acknowledge and take responsibility for the ways our actions impact others. The health conditions we deal with don’t make us bad or good, but it would greatly benefit this relationship for the letter writer’s friend to say, “I know I kept you waiting and I know it’s frustrating. I’m sorry.”
(Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.)
Royce O’Neale encesta triple agónico y Suns sin titulares vencen a Lakers por 113-110
PHOENIX (AP) — Royce O’Neale encestó un triple con 0,9 segundos por jugar, Grayson Allen anotó 28 puntos y unos diezmados Suns de Phoenix superaron el jueves 113-110 a los Lakers de Los Ángeles, pese a desperdiciar una ventaja de 12 unidades en el tramo final.
Allen penetró hacia la pintura en la última posesión de los Suns antes de encontrar a Collin Gillespie en una esquina. Gillespie movió rápidamente el balón hacia un O’Neale que estaba desmarcado.
Austin Reaves falló un triple, desmarcado desde la esquina cuando sonaba la bocina por Los Ángeles. Luka Doncic lideró a los Lakers con 41 puntos, ocho rebotes y ocho asistencias.
El yerro de Reaves coronó unos emocionantes minutos finales.
Los Lakers se recuperaron de un déficit de 12 puntos con 6:28 minutos por jugar para empatar a 108 con un triple de Reaves a falta de un minuto. O’Neale respondió con una bandeja tras un rebote ofensivo para poner el 110-108, pero LeBron James encestó en la siguiente posesión para igualar a 110 con 22,7 segundos restantes.
_____
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Chicago Bulls lose 11th straight loss to make history — but it was their biggest win since the trade deadline
The Chicago Bulls wanted a win. Badly.
Desperation seeped through the cracks days ago. This team is tired of winning. For returning players such as Matas Buzelis and Josh Giddey, the hope of this season has curdled into disgust after one-too-many squandered games. For the new additions, each loss represents a failed audition for a future season in Chicago or in the league at large.
But wanting wasn’t enough in Thursday’s 121-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the United Center. The Bulls couldn’t control the ball, forking over 20 turnovers. They still can’t shoot the ball from deep. And no matter how simple coach Billy Donovan makes the game plan, this team still can’t click.
Photos: Portland Trail Blazers 121, Chicago Bulls 112
For the first time in franchise history, the Bulls went the entire month of February without winning a game. For a team steeped in history, this type of milestone is both damning and baffling.
Something changes when a losing streak dips into double digits. The Bulls have lost 11 consecutive games. A pall hangs over the locker room after each loss, drenching the space in thick disappointment. Players talk more quietly, reciting insistent promises that this team isn’t that bad. Thursday’s loss struck another blow to a locker room sick with impatience and confusion over the disrepair left in the wake of the trade deadline.
But for the Bulls, the loss Thursday marked a crucial win for the long game. The only way they can strike success this season is by improving their draft stock. And losing to the Trail Blazers was a crucial step in that overarching goal.
Every loss helps the Bulls improve their draft odds — they currently sit ninth in the lottery standings. But losing accomplished an additional goal: helping the Bulls edge closer to earning another lottery pick.
The Trail Blazers owe the Bulls their first-round pick in 2026, but that selection is protected if the Blazers land in the lottery. This means the pick will convey only if Portland makes the playoffs, giving the Bulls a clear rooting favorite in the Western Conference.
At this point, making the playoffs outright is a pipe dream for the Trail Blazers. They sit 6½ games behind the Los Angeles Lakers, who are sixth in the West. It would take a sensational combination of losing and winning streaks for the Trail Blazers to somehow surge into the playoffs.
But the play-in tournament is still a viable option. The Blazers are firmly in position for that tournament, jockeying with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers. If they can edge up into the No. 7 or No. 8 slot, they would have to win only one play-in game to advance to the playoffs and ship their pick to the Bulls.
Bulls coach Billy Donovan reacts as forward Guerschon Yabusele walks off the court in the second half of a 121-112 loss to the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
These odds should serve as a salve for Bulls fans after yet another loss, but they weren’t a factor in the way the Bulls played. Fate hasn’t favored the competitiveness of the Bulls, who are wading through an ongoing deluge of injuries. They played the game without center Jalen Smith, forward Patrick Williams and guards Anfernee Simons and Jaden Ivey. These absences compounded the season-ending loss of Zach Collins, paring the Bulls frontcourt down to Guerschon Yabusele and Nick Richards.
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Things might be different if that entire slate of players remained available. The Bulls are not adopting the most mercenary mechanisms of tanking. Donovan refuses to sit players or tinker with rotations to tip the scales toward losing — even with games that could affect the final placement of draft picks.
“It’s not like I’m sitting over here saying, ‘OK, well, it’s a close game right now, let’s sit Josh and Tre and Jalen and these guys,’” Donovan said before Thursday’s game. “There’s not been that. And if I did do that, I think they would say, ‘Listen, you need to put our best guys out there.’”
But that intention hasn’t been enough to overrule the bleak reality of this battered roster, which can’t stand up to the best or the worst or the middle of the Western Conference.
Only one remaining game outweighs Thursday’s matchup in importance — Sunday’s home matinee against the Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks are the only other Eastern Conference team separating the Bulls from the cutoff line for the play-in tournament. With every half-game of separation between themselves and the Bucks, the Bulls inch closer to a higher draft pick — and more security in their position as a lottery team.
The Bulls have the upper (or, perhaps more accurately, lower) hand in this matchup due to their goals. The Bucks still want to claw their way into the play-in tournament to give a fighting chance to injured star Giannis Antetokounmpo, who hopes to make it back onto the court by the end of the season. If the Bulls stretch this losing streak to 12 games, they will ensconce themselves in a 3½-game advantage in the lottery standings. A loss is more crucial than any other win that could occur this season.
This is a pessimistic line of thinking. There’s no way around it. Fans should not have to cheer their team’s losses. But as the Bulls continue to flounder, the silver lining of this skid only shines brighter — and with a high enough draft pick, it ultimately could eclipse the bitter disappointment of the season.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/chicago-bulls-no-wins-february/
Adolescentes “therians”: una tendencia viral en Argentina que despierta atención y desconcierto
Por ALMUDENA CALATRAVA
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Sofía corretea en cuatro patas sobre el césped de una plaza de Buenos Aires con una máscara que imita la cabeza de un perro Beagle. De un brinco, Aguara vuela por los aires y sortea un obstáculo mostrando la energía característica de la raza canina belga. Mientras, otros adolescentes disfrazados de gatos y zorros se encaraman a las ramas de un árbol para mantenerse alejados de los curiosos que se acercan a observarlos.
El domingo pasado la plaza situada cerca del Barrio Chino fue punto de reunión de unos veinte adolescentes “therians” que dicen identificarse a nivel mental, espiritual y psicológico con animales. El nombre proviene de “therianthropy” (teriantropía), la creencia de la posibilidad de transformarse en un animal.
“Me levanto como una persona normal. Vivo mi vida como una persona normal. Simplemente tengo mis momentos en los que me gusta ser un perro”, dijo Aguara a The Associated Press. La adolescente es la líder en Argentina de lo que ella denomina “una manada” que se reúne periódicamente para compartir esta experiencia que está dando que hablar en el país sudamericano.
Aguara —nombre con el que desea ser identificada— y otros “therians” están copando las redes sociales en Argentina desde diciembre. Son entrevistados por influencers y medios de prensa y observados por curiosos entre el desconcierto, la risa y el enojo. Mientras, los psicólogos ensayan explicaciones sobre el llamativo fenómeno que es motivo de conversación pública.
Aunque acotadas, sus reuniones en Buenos Aires tienen más participantes que las de otros países latinoamericanos, como México y en Uruguay, donde el fenómeno ha tenido menos acogida.
Los jóvenes aficionados conocieron el mundo “therian” en videos de TikTok procedentes de Estados Unidos.
En los últimos meses el fenómeno ha tomando impulso en esa red social, donde el hashtag #therian ha superado las dos millones de publicaciones, con Argentina actualmente a la cabeza de todos los demás países latinoamericanos en cuanto a participación.
Perros, gatos, focas
Con el pelo de rojo furioso y un collar con su nombre, Aguara —que tiene 125.000 seguidores en TikTok— se tomó fotografías con otros jóvenes mientras curiosos miraban con recelo a los chicos que merendaban sentados en el césped con colas, garras y hocicos de perros, focas y cabras.
“Nosotros nos auto percibimos humanos, pero nos identificamos como animales… Yo con un pastor Belga Malinois”, señaló la adolescente sobre esa raza canina sociable, protectora y con fuerte instinto territorial.
Aguara dice liderar desde hace unos tres meses un grupo de más de un centenar de personas que se reúnen para compartir esta afición, aunque se desconoce realmente cuántas son. Varias de ellas explicaron que ya habían entrado en conocimiento de los “therians” hace cuatro años en videos procedentes de Estados Unidos.
La joven de 15 años —dos años y dos meses perrunos, acotó— asiste al colegio sin disfraz. No sabe precisar cuál fue el disparador de la fiebre “therian” en Argentina, pero la atribuye a posteos agresivos contra esa comunidad que terminaron por ponerla en el foco de atención.
Cuando desea sentirse perro practica saltos y juega con mordedores. Otras veces se junta con sus pares. “Es un grupo de pertenencia… Me siento parte de ellos y me veo como una figura a la que pueden seguir”.
Su madre, Lorena Bueno, señaló que, de niña Aguara jugaba “a ser perrito” y hace cinco años comenzó a elaborar máscaras y colas de animales y salir con ellas a la calle. “Yo me enojaba mucho”, agregó.
Después empezó a practicar el uso de las cuatro extremidades para caminar, correr y saltar, que ellos llaman “quadrobics”. “Teníamos un espacio en casa donde saltaba las sillas y cada vez saltaba más alto”, dijo la mujer.
Bueno empezó a tratarse con una psicóloga y buscó otra para Aguara que restó importancia a la actitud de la adolescente. La madre terminó aceptando la situación.
Sofía, que siente una sintonía especial con los perros Beagle, se topó con los “therians” en videos de TikTok. “En 2023 aparecía gente haciendo quadrobics y dije ‘esto es re lindo, me encanta’. Fui investigando y me di cuenta en 2024 que eran ’therians’”.
Ataviada con unas zapatillas deportivas y cubierta con su máscara, la joven paseó por la plaza apoyándose en sus manos y pies mientras otros adolescentes la grababan con móviles.
“Antes me identificaba con un gato; sentía que era más tranquila, solitaria, pero mientras más máscaras y quadrobics hacía me cambié a perro y ahora me siento mejor”, explicó Sofía, quien no quiso dar su apellido para preservarse ante el inusitado interés mediático. Su madre, Carla, quien sólo se identificó con su nombre de pila, señaló que la chica practica esta afición en ciertos momentos en los que puede estar con sus amigos y en contacto con la naturaleza.
Aru, de 16 años y cubierta con una máscara de foca, dijo que esos animales marinos le resultan muy tiernos. “Me parece gracioso golpearme la panza… Puedo practicar dentro de mi casa o en juntadas con amigos”.
La joven integra la corriente de los “Otherpaw”: “Son personas que usan máscaras y van a cuatro patas por pura diversión. No tiene que ver con identificarse como animal necesariamente”.
¿Juego, refugio o trastorno?
Para Aru los “therians” coparon la atención en Argentina “porque viene siendo un país bastante libre y cuando empezaron a salir a los parques les hacían entrevistas y ellos se emocionaron… Entonces lo están haciendo con más ganas”.
La psicóloga Débora Pedace, directora del Centro Terapéutico Integral en Buenos Aires, admitió que el fenómeno desconcierta.
“Si vamos al plano psicológico es una identificación simbólica con un animal. Cuando es patológico o alarmante es cuando pasa a ser una creencia arraigada y la persona toma ese rol de animal, se autolesiona o puede lastimar a un tercero. Ahí es cuando familiares o el cuerpo de salud tienen que actuar”, señaló Pedace.
Los psicólogos explicaron que muchos adolescentes sienten que no encajan o anhelan ser vistos, como ocurre con las tribus urbanas.
Pedace acotó que hay personas que tienen tanto temor o sufren tanto la realidad que necesitan convertirse “en eso otro que hace que sientan que no son humanos”.
Aguara no sabe si seguirá siendo “therian”. “Sinceramente no sé qué puede llegar a pasar. Pero a mí, al menos en este momento, me gusta disfrutar lo que estoy viviendo”.
Pelicans vencen a Jazz 129-118 al abrir serie de dos juegos en Utah
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Saddiq Bey anotó 42 puntos, Zion Williamson sumó 20 y los Pelicans de Nueva Orleans vencieron el jueves 129-118 al Jazz de Utah para abrir una serie de dos partidos.
Los equipos volverán a enfrentarse en Salt Lake City la noche del sábado. Los Pelicans, que iniciaron una gira de seis partidos, han ganado tres seguidos y cinco de siete para mejorar a 18-42.
Bey acertó 14 de 20 tiros de campo, 5 de 9 triples y convirtió sus nueve tiros libres. Williamson atinó 9 de 14 tiros de campo.
El base de los Pelicans, Dejounte Murray, añadió 17 unidades y nueve asistencias en su segundo partido consecutivo después de perderse más de un año por una rotura del tendón de Aquiles derecho.
Ace Bailey lideró a Utah con 23 tantos, y Brice Sensabaugh aportó 20. El Jazz, mermado por las ausencias, ha perdido cuatro seguidos y cayó a 18-41.
La estrella de Utah, Lauri Markkanen, se lesionó en el entrenamiento el miércoles y no jugó debido a un esguince en el tobillo derecho y un pinzamiento en la cadera derecha.
Los titulares Jaren Jackson Jr. y Jusuf Nurkic fueron descartados por el resto de la temporada tras someterse a cirugías, y Utah perdió a Vince Williams Jr. por una rotura del ligamento cruzado anterior el lunes por la noche en una derrota en Houston.
___
Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Photos: Portland Trail Blazers 121, Chicago Bulls 112
Photos from the Chicago Bulls’ 121-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center.
Bulls guard Josh Giddey passes the ball to a teammate as Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara defends in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, left, drives against Bulls forward Isaac Okoro in the second half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Josh Giddey speaks with coach Billy Donovan in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Tre Jones (30) drives against Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Isaac Okoro puts up a layup in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Rob Dillingham (7) drives for a layup against Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis dunks the ball in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Leonard Miller dunks in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis loses the basketball against Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Rob Dillingham attempts to block a shot by Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Tre Jones slaps hands with guard Yuki Kawamura in the second half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls coach Billy Donovan scratches his head in the second half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Isaac Okoro works against the Trail Blazers in the second half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Benny the Bull sprays fans with silly string in the second half of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Noa Essengue, left, speaks with forward Patrick Williams in the second half of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Josh Giddey reacts in the second half of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Matas Buzelis reacts in the second half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Leonard Miller (11) dunks against the Trail Blazers in the second half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Rob Dillingham drives to the basket as teammate Leonard Miller sets up for a rebound in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Collin Sexton, left, drives against Trail Blazers forward Kris Murray in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026,at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Tre Jones works against Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Tre Jones drives toward the basket in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls coach Billy Donovan yells from the bench in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Guerschon Yabusele drives for a layup in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Trail Blazers guard Matisse Thybulle blocks a shot from Bulls guard Collin Sexton in the first half on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Collin Sexton struggles to hear coach Billy Donovan in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Collin Sexton celebrates a made 3-pointer in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls coach Billy Donovan scratches his head in the first half against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Benny the Bull waves a Bulls flag at half court ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guards Rob Dillingham, left, and Tre Jones stand on the court ahead of team introductions for a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Rob Dillingham and forward Isaac Okoro run out onto the court for a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Isaac Okoro, left, and guard Josh Giddey stand for the national anthem before a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Benny the Bull waves a flag at half-court in the first half of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls forward Patrick Williams walks on the court during a timeout in the second half of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guards Rob Dillingham and Tre Jones stand on the court ahead of team introductions for a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Josh Giddey signs a jersey for Ryota Iida, of Japan, ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Tre Jones signs an autograph for a fan ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Ryota Iida, of Japan, smiles as Bulls guard Tre Jones hands a marker to him after signing his jersey ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Collin Sexton signs autographs for young fans ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
A young fan wears a Benny the Bull mascot head before a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Young fans wait by the Bulls tunnel for autographs ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
Bulls guard Collin Sexton signs autographs for young fans ahead of a game against the Trail Blazers on Feb. 26, 2026, at the United Center. (Josh Boland/Chicago Tribune)
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/02/26/photos-chicago-bulls-portland-trail-blazers-united-center/
Achiuwa logra récord personal de 29 puntos en la victoria 130-121 de los Kings ante Mavs
DALLAS (AP) — Precious Achiuwa logró un récord personal de 29 puntos y sumó 12 rebotes, Maxime Raynaud anotó 22 unidades y los Kings de Sacramento vencieron el jueves 130-121 a los Kings de Sacramento.
Los Kings (14-47) han ganado dos de sus últimos tres partidos tras una racha récord de la franquicia de 16 derrotas consecutivas. Con un promedio de 110,1 puntos por partido, el más bajo de la NBA, están a cinco puntos de su mejor marca de la campaña.
Naji Marshall consiguió un máximo de la temporada de 36 puntos, uno menos que su mejor registro de carrera, y aportó 10 rebotes y seis asistencias para los Mavericks (21-37), que han perdido 11 de sus últimos 13 encuentros y seis seguidos en casa.
Dallas recortó una desventaja de 17 puntos en el cuarto periodo para acercarse 123-121 con 1:56 por jugar, pero Sacramento anotó los últimos siete puntos, comenzando con un tiro de Achiuwa tras fallar otro tiro cuando el reloj de posesión estaba a punto de expirar.
Los cuatro jugadores que los Mavericks adquirieron el 5 de febrero en el traspaso a tres bandas que envió a Anthony Davis a Washington debutaron con Dallas. Khris Middleton firmó 17 puntos.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
Svalbard: The Other Arctic Island Flashpoint
Svalbard: The Other Arctic Island Flashpoint
Authored by Paul Crespo via RealClearWire,
As many focus on the world’s largest island, Greenland, and President Trump’s aggressive efforts to acquire it, another strategic Arctic island, nearby Svalbard, may be an even more likely future point of contention and conflict.
Not a conflict between the United States and Denmark, or the U.S. and NATO, but between Russia and Norway, and perhaps all of NATO.
Or maybe not with NATO. This is because Svalbard, is not just sovereign territory of Norway, but also has legally established Russian settlements dating back two centuries. And that makes Svalbard uniquely dangerous.
Svalbard, more properly an archipelago, about twice the size of Belgium, with total population of about 2,500, nominally belongs to Norway, but under the terms of the 1920 Svalbard Treaty, certain countries, including the United States, Denmark, China, and Russia have rights of access.
While Norway claims sovereignty, Russia, which has the second largest population on the islands and two long-standing Soviet-era settlements, frequently contests Norway’s claim.
This long-standing presence is one of the main justifications for the Russians laying their own claim to being the second major arbiter of what happens on Svalbard, after Norway.
And China, since 2004, now has a polar research facility, Yellow River Station, with links to its military, on Svalbard, further complicating the strategic equation.
Strategically located just 429 miles east of Greenland at its closest, Svalbard is the northernmost populated land in the world. It lies 404 miles north of the Norwegian mainland and just 621 miles from the North Pole and enjoys ice-free anchorage in the south.
My Visit to Svalbard
I visited Svalbard in June and July of 2025 for almost a month, staying in the capital Longyearbyen as well as the two Russian settlements, Barentsburg and Pyramiden. Two years earlier, Tom Cruise filmed parts of his recent film, “Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning,” on Svalbard.
Just days prior to our visit, Norway’s 88-year-old King Harald and Queen Sonja—as well as Vladimir Putin’s trouble-making Russian Orthodox bishop Vladika Iakov, known for promoting Russian territorial claims in the Arctic—made competing visits to the island at the same time, albeit in different locations.
The Kremlin is using the Orthodox Church as a spiritual weapon to create a narrative that the Arctic belongs to Moscow. In the same vein, King Harald’s visit was also intended to demonstrate that Norway’s sovereignty of Svalbard remains solid.
Russian Presence
Today, the Russian presence is far smaller than during its Soviet-era heyday, when its two coal-mining towns, Barentsburg and Pyramiden, alone had a combined population of almost 2,500—or when Russians outnumbered Norwegians on Svalbard by nearly 2.5 to 1.
Now there are barely 500 Russians there, although their numbers are greatly outsized by their puffed-up presence.
Pyramiden is now a ghost town, boasting the world’s northernmost statue of Lenin, and a treasure trove of Soviet-era artifacts and buildings (with only a skeleton crew of caretakers, usually less than 10), while Barentsburg, still an active mining town (for now), hosts a few hundred Russians.
The Russian flag flies there, and occasionally nostalgic Soviet ones as well, and there is also a Russian Orthodox Church closely tied to Putin’s regime. There is also a heliport at Pyramiden for use by two Russian Mi-8 helicopters on Svalbard.
Barentsburg also hosts a heliport, and the Russian helicopters use the facilities at Longyearbyen Airport in the capital as well.
An unmarked black van driven by a chain-smoking Russian in a black leather mobster jacket quietly picked us up from our hotel in Svalbard’s capital on the way to Pyramiden.
When we arrived at the Russian town of Pyramiden, the hotel staff quickly noted that they already knew who I was. So much for my visit remaining under the radar.
Later, after we visited the old Russian consulate in Barentsburg, painted a mint green, now a museum, the Russian “museum guide” briskly rushed to the new secure Russian consulate just behind the old one, to the left in brick color, likely to file her report on me.
Why Svalbard Matters
While largely unknown to the general public, Svalbard is critical to global communications as it also hosts the Svalbard Satellite Station (SvalSat), the world’s largest ground-based satellite communication and tracking installation, located on a flat mountain plateau just above the capital town of Longyearbyen.
The site comprises 170 massive radio domes, radomes, containing huge dish antennae to track and communicate with satellites for everything from weather observation, maritime surveillance, navigation, and search and rescue.
In 2021, Russia complained about Norway’s satellite infrastructure, claiming the SvalSat station violated the treaty because it is a “dual-use” facility with potential military uses.
While administered by Norway, Svalbard is a demilitarized territory, The 1920 treaty prohibits the use of the archipelago for “warlike purposes.”
Only a very small Norwegian police force is allowed on the island. It is fully integrated into the Norwegian police system but operates as a specialized district.
The Governor of Svalbard has the same authority as a chief of police on the Norwegian mainland.
Svalbard Is Demilitarized
Norwegian police jurisdiction includes the entire archipelago and its territorial sea focused on environmental crime, search and rescue (SAR), and keeping public order.
However, as of 2026, the police are monitoring increased Russian intelligence activity, espionage, and potential threats to infrastructure in the region.
Of note, when I landed in Svalbard in June, I quickly noticed several fit, Russian-speaking, military-aged men in civilian clothes at the airport, with military style packs and bags. They immediately began scouting around with binoculars.
One can only speculate if they were GRU, Russian military intelligence, or something just as sinister.
Following the letter of the law in the treaty, Norwegian coast guard ships patrol the fiords for months at a time, but don’t dock.
While there, I witnessed a modern Norwegian coast guard ship, the KV Jan Mayen (W310)—the lead ship of the new class of offshore patrol boats—cruising nearby during our entire visit.
Having a lawfully allowed Russian presence on the island and being required by treaty to remain demilitarized, makes Svalbard’s connection to NATO and ensuring it falls under Alliance protection, potentially problematic.
But, just as a look at a polar projection map shows how vital Greenland is to North America, a glance at the map reveals why Svalbard’s location matters to Russia. The Kola peninsula, key to Russia’s nuclear capabilities, is immediately to Svalbard’s southeast.
The Russian Threat
Russia’s growing northern fleet is also based north of Murmansk, and Franz Josef Land archipelago, annexed from Norway by the Soviets in 1926, hosts major Russian military assets, and lies about 250 miles to the east and partly to the north of Svalbard.
Russia constructed a new air base on Franz Josef Land in 2021, publicly justifying it to defend their nuclear weapons on the Kola Peninsula. It uses its base there to threaten the surrounding areas around it, including Svalbard.
As noted by Arctic Today in September 2025:
“Russia has significantly strengthened its military presence at the archipelago. The Nagurskoye base today includes a major building complex, an airfield and powerful arms, including the Bastion system, a Monolit-B coastal radar, as well as anti-drone equipment. In a bid to intimidate Norway and its NATO allies, the Russian war ministry emphasizes that the onyx missiles are ‘almost undetectable’ for modern air defense systems and capable of ‘destroying naval vessels of any size at distances of up to several hundred kilometers.’ …
“As part of Zapad-2025, Russia this week also conducted mock strikes with its Kinzhal missile over the Barents Sea. Also the coastal missile system Bal has been engaged, according to the Russian armed forces on Telegram.
“Launch of missile Uran from coastal missile complex Bal. Video by Russian armed forces. Large areas in the Barents Sea have been sealed off in connection with the training. Several of the areas are in the Norwegian exclusive economic zone. According to Northern Sentry, a Norwegian account on X with focus on the High North, one of the exercise scenarios of Zapad-2025 is an attack of Svalbard and subsequent occupation of the archipelago.”
Also, during the Zapad-2025 exercise, according to Arctic Today, a key target in the exercise was an imagined enemy flotilla in the Barents Sea.
The scenario included the landing of Russian troops, weapons and armored vehicles from the landing ship Aleksandr Otrakovsky, and the destruction of imagined enemy saboteurs that had infiltrated the archipelago.
Meanwhile, there have been growing tensions between Norway and Russia on Svalbard.
Growing Tensions
In January 2022, one of two key undersea fiber optic cables connecting mainland Norway to Svalbard was damaged in the Greenland Sea. The Svalbard Undersea Cable System is crucial for satellite data. Russian sabotage was suspected though never proven.
Later, in June 2022, a small crisis also highlighted how Russia could easily escalate a local incident into an excuse for military action.
Norway’s Foreign Ministry denied Russian state-owned coal mining company Arktikugol’s request to open a supply route to Barentsburg, citing sanctions on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Russia responded quickly.
Norway’s actions, the Russians claimed, “violated the provisions” of the Svalbard Treaty of 1920, which grants citizens of all signatory nations, including Russia, equal access to the archipelago’s resources.
“Following Norway’s actions, the sovereignty of this country over Svalbard is a big question from now on,” Russian Senator Andrei Klishas said.
Norway’s Foreign Minister denied that Oslo had violated the Svalbard Treaty, saying the shipment “has been stopped on the basis of the sanctions that prohibit Russian road transport companies from transporting goods on Norwegian territory.”
The next month, Norway allowed the goods to be shipped to Barentsburg, relieving the immediate tension.
Still, Russia’s recent rhetoric suggests Svalbard may be a growing target in Moscow’s sights.
In 2023 Russian officials ramped things up and skirted the letter of the law of the 1920 treaty by holding a military style parade down the main street in Barentsburg, including flying a helicopter overhead.
The blatantly militarized display created a lot of concern in Norway.
China Also Eyeing Svalbard
But Russia isn’t the only threat to Svalbard. China, now closely allied to Russia, has been showing increasing interest in Svalbard, and the High North in general, calling itself a “near-Arctic” power.
The Chosen recently reported how the Chinese, who have a had a polar research station on the island for 20 years, are aggressively trying to infiltrate Svalbard as well, and how Norway has responded:
“In July 2024, controversy arose when cruise tourists from Shanghai and Hong Kong took photos saluting in military uniforms while waving Chinese flags in front of a granite lion statue at a Chinese base within the Svalbard archipelago. Despite repeated orders from Norway, China has not removed the [two] statue[s].
“Norway has implemented control measures, including prohibiting foreign sales of private property in Svalbard and denying Chinese students permission to study at local universities on security grounds. It has also restricted voting rights previously allowed to foreign residents, permitting them only if they have resided in mainland Norway for over three years. State Secretary Eivind Vad Petersson stated, ‘No country grants voting rights to foreigners. The Svalbard Treaty guarantees ‘equal access’ but not ‘equal rights.’”
Meanwhile, members of the U.S. House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party believe the Chinese, who have access to a powerful radar system that monitors space weather and the atmosphere, are performing military research on Svalbard, which is not allowed under the treaty.
According to an online portal, at least three current research projects using data gathered from on Svalbard have been shared with the China Research Institute of Radiowave Propagation, a Chinese defense organization.
So, China is now also showing a growing, likely military, interest in Svalbard, making it part of the new Cold War occurring in the far north. And potentially the next crisis flashpoint in the Arctic.
Tyler Durden
Thu, 02/26/2026 – 23:25
https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/svalbard-other-arctic-island-flashpoint
Con 27 puntos, Grant guía a Blazers hacia victoria 121-112 ante Bulls, que hilan 11 derrotas
CHICAGO (AP) — Jerami Grant anotó 27 puntos y los Trail Blazers de Portland resistieron para imponerse el jueves 121-112 a los Bulls de Chicago, quienes padecieron su 11ª derrota consecutiva.
Toumani Camara anotó 16 puntos, Robert Williams III sumó 14 unidades y 14 rebotes y Vit Krejci aportó también 14 tantos por los Blazers, que por segundo partido consecutivo no contaron con su astro Deni Avdija (lesión de espalda).
Matas Buzelis anotó 20 puntos para liderar a los Bulls, que igualaron la tercera racha de derrotas más larga en la historia de la franquicia. Chicago ha perdido 11 partidos seguidos en febrero.
No gana desde el 31 de enero, cuando se impuso ante Miami.
Tre Jones aportó 19 puntos por los Bulls, quienes cayeron a 0-5 en su estadía de siete partidos en casa. Josh Giddey anotó 15 puntos y repartió nueve asistencias, mientras que Nick Richards contabilizó 14 puntos y 10 rebotes.
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Deportes AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes
