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Chicago has lost nine games in a row, its longest losing streak since a 10-game skid in the 2018-19 season. Sunday marked the narrowest defeat during the slide.

Matas Buzelis paced the Bulls with 15 points while Guerschon Yabusele posted a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds.

Collin Sexton and Buzelis hit 3-pointers to bookend an 8-0 Bulls run that put the hosts ahead 95-94 with 3:42 remaining. But the Knicks closed the game on an 11-4 surge, with Towns scoring six points. He has scored at least 20 points in five consecutive games.

New York took a 60-59 lead on a Mikal Bridges 3-pointer with 10:03 remaining in the third quarter. That set the Knicks on a 13-2 run that saw Brunson contribute seven points and Bridges five.

Both teams were playing the second leg of a back-to-back. As with Saturday's home loss to the Detroit Pistons, when they trailed by just three points at the break, the Bulls lost steam in the third quarter Sunday.

The Knicks outscored the Bulls 31-25 in the quarter while forcing Chicago into seven turnovers. The Bulls had just six giveaways in the first half.

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Landry Shamet (16 points), Josh Hart (11), and Bridges (11) also scored in double figures in the game for the Knicks.

Isaac Okoro and Jalen Smith both had 12 points for Chicago. Patrick Williams added 10 points and eight assists.

Chicago led by as many as eight points in the first half and took a 53-52 lead into the break.

Okoro, Smith, and Yabusele scored nine first-half points apiece while combining to make six of the team's nine 3-pointers before intermission.

Towns led all scorers with 17 points in the first half.

New York earned at least a split of the four-game season series with Chicago, stopping the Bulls' bid to claim consecutive season series for the first time since 2013. The Knicks host the Bulls on April 3 in their final regular-season meeting.

--Field Level Media

Providence UConn Basketball

KK Arnold finished with eight points, eight assists, and a season-high seven steals. Sarah Strong had 13 points in 13 minutes for the Huskies (29-0, 18-0 Big East), who have won 56 consecutive conference regular season games.

UConn had a season-high 26 steals, the seventh time this season that UConn had at least 20 steals.

Princess Moody led Providence 14-15 (7-11) with 11 points and Payton Dunbar had nine points.

UConn missed its first seven shots, but had 10 steals in the first quarter as the Huskies used an 18-0 run to take a 21-5 lead heading into the second quarter. UConn added a 10-0 run in the second quarter as the Huskies rolled to their 40th consecutive win over Providence, 33 of those victories have been by at least 25 points. The Huskies led 40-14 at halftime. The 14 points allowed in the first half matched the fewest surrendered by the Huskies this season.

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UConn honored seniors Ice Brady,Caroline Ducharme, Azzi Fudd, Ayanna Patterson and Serah Williams after the game in the final regular-season game at Gampel Pavilion this season.Brady missed the gameafter undergoing season-ending knee surgery. The Huskies will play Georgetown in Hartford on Thursday, and are likely to play two NCAA tournament games at Gampel and as many as three Big East tournament games at Mohegan Sun Arena.

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Providence: Plays at Creighton on Thursday.

UConn: Hosts Georgetown on Thursday.

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign uphere. AP women's college basketball:https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-pollandhttps://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

It felt good to have a jersey for Gaudreau,who died in a shocking traffic accident 18 months ago, out there in the team's finest moment. But it didn't feel quite right.

And then Matthew Tkachuk and Zach Werenski went to the stands and hoisted up Gaudreau's two oldest children, Noa and Johnny Jr., and brought them out onto the ice. In that perfect moment, all of American hockey smiled through tears.

"To have Johnny and Noa out there," Dylan Larkin said afterward, "it just felt right."

Johnny Gaudreau was one of the best hockey players of his generation, a prolific scorer, seven-time All-Star and member of the NHL's Quarter Century Team. On the night of Aug. 29, 2024, he and his brother Matthew were riding bikes near Oldmans Township, N.J. It had been a good day; they were in town for their sister Katie's wedding the next day. But around 8 p.m., the two were struck by a car making an illegal pass. The brothers were pronounced dead at the scene, and the driver was charged with vehicular homicide.

Gaudreau's death devastated the hockey world, including so many members of Team USA. "We miss him on the ice dearly," Brady Tkachuk said. "He would have been on this team."

Throughout its international competitions over the past two years, Team USA has brought along a Gaudreau jersey as motivation, inspiration and comfort. The No. 13 jersey hung in American locker rooms during the 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2025 IIHF World Championships, a testament to Gaudreau's love of international hockey.

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Just prior to the start of the Olympics, Gaudreau's family released a statement noting just how much he would have loved to be a part of these Games.

"In that final summer, John was training harder than ever, with his dad, pushing himself to be in the best shape of his life," the family wrote in a statement. "He was determined to earn his spot on that Olympic roster. While it breaks our hearts that John won't be there to live out that dream, we know he will be so very present with Team USA and all of his close friends competing throughout these games."

Larkin said that maybe the Gaudreau brothers were here in some way after all, helping Team USA on a spiritual level. "Somehow," he said while laughing, "they put a spell around our net where the puck didn't go in."

Members of the Gaudreau family, including Johnny's widow Meredith, parents Guy and Jane, and 10-month-old son Carter, have attended the past two United States hockey games. Cameras captured them in the crowd Sunday in tearful celebration.

"He's touched everybody on the ice, everybody in Team USA's lives," Brady Tkachuk said. "We just wanted to show the Gaudreau family our support. He was so near and dear to a lot of us."

"We miss him and we love him and we love his family," Larkin said. "We can't wait to celebrate with them."

"He's had a big impact on a lot of guys in our room. A lot of guys grew up with him, played with him, spent a lot of time with him," Team USA captain Auston Matthews said, adding that the jersey was "just a subtle reminder that him and his brother, they're with us in spirit."

Nothing will replace Johnny and Matt Goudreau in the lives of all who loved them. But thanks to Team USA, his children will have a treasured memory honoring their father. And thanks to the gold-medal win, his memory will live on as long as there's American hockey.

It was a hard-fought game that required the extra period, but it was Hughes and the rest of the U.S. team who celebrated after capturing the top honor in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.

Hughes, uplifting the U.S. on the world's largest stage, has captured the attention of millions, but there's one person he's possibly thinking of most: Tate McRae.

However, that wasn't the person whom he first thought of after hitting the game-winning and gold medal-clinching goal. Hughes told reporters he thought of U.S. national women's team hockey player Megan Keller, whohelped Team USA win the gold medal against Canadawith a game-winning goal of her own.

Everyone believes his mind is now on McRae, though. There are rumors swirling that the two are reportedly dating. Here's what we know.

2026 Winter Games:Olympic Coverage in Milan

Who is Tate McRae?

McRae is a Canadian singer-songwriter known for her breakout hit "You Broke Me First" released in 2020.

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She is a 22-year-old who earned her first Grammy Award nomination for the soundtrack single "Just Keep Watching" from the film "F1" in 2025.

Who is Jack Hughes?

Hughes plays for the U.S. national men's hockey team that won the gold medal against Canada. He plays center and is an alternate captain for theNew Jersey Devilsof the NHL.

Hughes is 24-years-old.

Why is Tate McRae rumored with Jack Hughes?

McRae and Hughes are rumored to be dating after the two have been seen spendinglots of time together in recent months,including New York trips.

McRae has been seen supporting Hughes during New Jersey's regular-season hockey games.

She even received some backlash from Canadians after her public support for Team USA men's hockey in the 2026 Winter Games. It led her to post about being "Canada down."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jack Hughes, Tate McRae rumors: Here's what we know

Patel posted photos of himself with members of the teamto his account on X on Feb. 22. One photo features a group of players, includingovertime hero Jack Hughesand the Tkachuk brothers, sporting their medals around their necks. Another shows the players celebrating in the background as Patel took a photo with USA coach Mike Sullivan.

"Unity, Sacrifice, Attitude- what it takes to be the best in the world," Patel wrote in the post. "These men live and breathe it. Now Team USA are gold medal champions, legends standing on the shoulders of giants. Thank you for representing the greatest country on earth, in the greatest game ever created."

Patel was also shown drinking what appeared to be alcohol with the team in avideo posted to social mediabefore a player put a gold medal around his neck. Patel, who was jumping up and down while celebrating with the team, shared another message on social media directed at the "concerned media" regarding his appearance.

"For the very concerned media - yes, I love America and was extremely humbled when my friends, the newly minted Gold Medal winners on Team USA, invited me into the locker room to celebrate this historic moment with the boys- Greatest country on earth and greatest sport on earth,"he wrote.

Kash Patelat Olympics

Patel was spotted celebrating the win not long after heannounced on social mediathat the FBI was helping investigate a fatal shooting at PresidentDonald Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida.

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During the third period of the hockey game, Patel's official government account on Xposted this statementregarding the Mar-A-Lago incident: "FBI is dedicating all necessary resources in the investigation of this morning's incident atPresident Trump's Mar-A-Lago - where an armed individual was shot and killed after unlawfully entering the perimeter. We will continue working closely with (the Secret Service) as well our state and federal partners and will provide updates as we are able."

This latest incident comes afterPatel faced criticismfor his handling of, and communications surrounding, sensitive cases like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Patel came under fire forkeeping his dinner reservationat a hard-to-get-into New York restaurant on the night of Kirk's killing and making improper public statements about the case.

Patel has alsodrawn scrutiny for his reported use of government jetsfor personal travel.

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

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See USA and Canada clash as Olympic rivalry continues

Jack Eichel #9 of Team United States and Nathan MacKinnon #29 of Team Canada face off in the first period during theMen's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United Stateson day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

Patel's trip to Italy is not personal and reports have "purposefully misled people to think Kash was flying to Italy to hang out at the Olympics," according to Ben Williamson, assistant director for public affairs at the FBI.Williamson said on Xon Feb. 19 the trip would include a meeting with Italian law enforcement and security officials as well as a U.S. consulate briefing on Olympic security.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment from USA TODAY.

Patel, an avid hockey fan, has appeared at NHL games in the past since taking over as FBI Director.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:FBI's Kash Patel celebrates with Team USA after hockey gold medal win

After recently suggestinghe had been offered an opponent and a date for a comeback fight in the UFC, McGregor suggested late Saturday night over a series of tweets that the opponent he could face was "a no name" for what would be his first professional bout in five years.

"It's a no name up next for me possibly, folks," McGregor wrote on X. "And as you know, idgaf. I ACCEPT. Send the contract, lads. CONOR MCGREGORS DEAL."

ANALYST:Why Jon Jones, Conor McGregor shouldn't be on UFC White House card

McGregor issued several tweets during the UFC Fight Night 267 broadcast on Saturday, Feb. 21,according to MMA Junkie, including one with a photo of the UFC welterweight division rankings, "perhaps further confirming his return, should it happen, will be at 170 pounds." Some of the tweets had been deleted fromMcGregor's X accountas of Sunday. They come on the heels oftweets McGregor sent out(and then deleted) indicating he had been offered an opponent and date for his next fight.

McGregor's recent activity surrounding the UFC has led to speculation that his return fight could be part of the UFC card at the White House, scheduled for June 14, 2026. McGregor has previously expressed interest in being part of the event, which UFC CEO Dana White has already declared will be the most-watched event in the company's history.

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McGregor, 37, has not competed since a July 2021 loss toDustin Poirier. McGregor broke his leg in the fight and underwent surgery. He was slated to return to the Octagon for a June 2024 fight with Michael Chandler, but McGregor suffered a broken toe ahead of that bout and has not been scheduled for another fight since then.

McGregor attempted to be part of Ireland's presidential election last year butwithdrew his candidacyafter not meeting the requirements to be included on the ballot.

McGregor became one of the UFC's biggest attractions beginning in 2008, and the first fighter to hold UFC championships in multiple divisions simultaneously (featherweight and lightweight). He has a 22-6 career record and a controversial reputation outside the mixed martial arts arena.

McGregor was found liableby a jury in Dublin and ordered to pay nearly 250,000 Euros in December 2024 after Nikita Hand filed a lawsuit alleging McGregor and another man, James Lawrence, had sex with her without her consent in 2018. McGregor was also sued last January by a woman who alleged McGregor sexually assaulted her after Game 4 of the 2023 NBA Finals between the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets at the Kaseya Center in Miami.

Previously, he pleaded guilty to assault over a 2019 incident in whichhe punched an elderly man during an argument inside a Dublin bar.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Conor McGregor hints at UFC comeback, says opponent could be 'no name'

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Caitlin Kaisergraduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences before starting her career as a digital meteorologist withweather.com.