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The Chicago Blackhawks will have a season’s worth of rough moments to pore over at some point, but it seemed they had a particularly taxing time Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings.They slogged through the second half of a back-to-back in which were outshot 36-16 and starting goalie Collin Delia left in the third period because of cramping.AdvertisementAll told, the Hawks gave up four goals — two of them 15 seconds apart in the third period — in a 4-1 loss at Crypto.com Arena.“We knew they were going to come hard, we just couldn’t find the energy,” coach Derek King said. “We looked tired physically. We looked tired mentally. We were getting frustrated. Hats off to them, they played a good game.”AdvertisementIf there’s an upside, the loss Hawks didn’t further jeopardize their chances in Tuesday’s draft lottery, which they’re not likely to win anyway.Heading into Friday’s matchups, the Hawks place sixth, meaning they have a 7.5% chance of winning the first draw. They have to win the first or second slot to keep their first-round pick, otherwise it goes to the Columbus Blue Jackets.But good fortune hasn’t exactly been their hallmark lately.Here are three takeaways.Chicago Blackhawks left wing Dominik Kubalík (8) skates against the Los Angeles Kings during the first period, April 21, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)You know who cares about the Hawks playing the Kings in the tail end of a late-night West Coast back-to-back?The Vegas Golden Knights, who trail the Kings in the Pacific Division and are on outside looking in at the wild-card spot.Every team faces tough stretches, but the league should look at how it schedules matchups this late in the season knowing they could have playoff implications.In the Hawks’ case, it’s not like last month’s Anaheim Ducks-Kings back-to-back in the same metro area. Instead, they played the Arizona Coyotes then flew to L.A. for the Kings, and their Midwestern body clocks were set to 9 and 9:30 p.m. CT puck drops, respectively.Advertisement“Tough schedule against L.A. this year, both times going in here back-to-back, pretty late night,” forward Dylan Strome said. “They jumped on us early and shots were pretty heavily favoring them.”Said King:“We just had no energy, we had no emotion in the game. You could see we were frustrated.”Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Collin Delia, left, stops a shot from Los Angeles Kings left wing Viktor Arvidsson, right, during the second period, April 21, 2022, in Los Angeles. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP)The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., native’s only win this season came March 24 in Los Angeles, and he was hoping to recreate that magic Thursday.Delia kept it 2-1 through two periods and the Hawks made 24 blocks, but they were just overwhelmed. The Kings held a 70% Corsi-for share, indicating how much they dominated the puck.After giving up goals 15 seconds apart in the third, Delia was slow getting up from the ice and gingerly skated off the ice.“He just was cramping up,” King said. “He’s done that before. I think it was his first NHL game he actually cramped up, if I’m not mistaken.”AdvertisementKing is correct. It was March 29, 2018, against the Winnipeg Jets, and Delia was famously relieved by emergency goalie Scott Foster, an accountant by day.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“Playing out here, hot, and facing all those shots I’m sure wasn’t easy for him,” King said of Delia. “I thought he played well. He just could not stop cramping up.”Toews started his shift with 3:22 remaining in the second period. Later he was stripped of the puck in the defensive zone and the Kings kept the Hawks hemmed in.By the time Toews could skate off, hunched over in exhaustion, it was 2 seconds before the intermission. He slammed his stick against the wall and appeared to say some choice words on the bench.“He was upset — everybody was upset,” King said. Dominik Kubalík was on the ice for 3:02.Advertisement“We got caught out there,” King said. “You want to stay out and take that extra go-at-it and maybe create something and then it turns over and you get back in your D-zone, and now you’re in there (for three minutes).“We were just not sharp, we turned pucks over. It’s one of those games where I’m just going to try to push it aside and try to forget about it.”

It’s rare for center Nikola Vučević to take the most shots on the Chicago Bulls.Although he was used to being the primary scorer during his decade with the Orlando Magic, Vučević stepped into a more complementary role in the Bulls offense after arriving in a March 2021 trade. His scoring average of 17.6 points in his first full season in Chicago was nearly seven points lower than in his last season with the Magic (24.5), while he took almost five fewer shots per game (15.8 versus 20.6).AdvertisementBut in the first two games of the Bulls’ playoff series with the Milwaukee Bucks, Vučević broke this trend to match fellow stars DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine in offensive output. His production made the difference for the Bulls as they return from Milwaukee with the series tied 1-1.[ [Don’t miss] The Bulls returned to the best of themselves in their Game 2 win. Will it be enough to swing the series? ]In Game 1, Vučević led the Bulls in scoring with 24 points while taking the most shots (27) on the team. Although he suffered from the same shooting slump that plagued the entire roster — going 9-for-27 and 2-for-10 from 3-point range — his scoring was essential to the Bulls keeping pace in the 93-86 loss. Advertisement“Everybody on our team, nobody really cares who takes the shot,” Vučević said. “We all need to be aggressive. We all need to take the shots that are there.”Vučević’s high volume of shots continued in Game 2 with 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting. Both figures were second to DeRozan’s postseason career-high 41 points on 16-for-31 shooting as Vučević balanced a well-rounded attack by the Bulls big three.ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 53Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, center, is surrounded by teammates after hitting a shot over Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo late in the second half of Game 2 of a first-round playoff series on April 20, 2022, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The Bucks defensive style caters to Vučević as a pick-and-pop big man. Although his main focus is to carve out a presence in the paint, Vučević’s shooting from behind the arc and even in the midrange allows him to stretch the Bucks defense in a way traditional post-up centers can’t replicate.Vučević’s scoring map in Game 2 emphasized the importance of this versatility — four made shots behind the arc, two in the midrange, two in the paint and two at the rim. His two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter landed haymakers on the Bucks to cut their late-game runs short.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“That’s just the way they play defense,” Vučević said. “They collapse in the paint, they take the paint away from teams and they don’t give up the 3, but that’s the shot you’re going to get. You have to make that shot to be able to beat them.”Bulls center Nikola Vučević (9) celebrates beside Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) in the second half of Game 2 on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Although Vučević’s outside shooting was in the spotlight Wednesday, he can unlock the entire offense when he clicks in the middle of the paint — especially by supplying second-chance opportunities.The Bulls had six offensive rebounds in Game 2 and Vučević was responsible for half of them, including two critical offensive boards in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to set up the Bulls for game-clinching baskets.“When the defense is out of place, there’s room for us to get offensive rebounds,” Vučević said. “At the same time, we also have to be careful not to all crash because it leaves us out of position.”Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Column: Bulls’ gritty effort in Game 2 win gives the Bucks something to worry about ]Like many of his Bulls teammates, Vučević isn’t big on celebrations. Although his frustration is often transparent, he rarely even tosses up a hand gesture to celebrate a made shot, typically pointing at the teammate who assisted him as he jogs back up the court.But when Vučević hit his second 3-pointer in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to solidify the Bulls lead, he couldn’t hold back. He punched at the air with both fists, then patted his chest with a confident head nod.“It’s the playoffs,” Vučević said after the win. “Every moment is big. Every game is big.”

Daniel Vogelbach hit a two-run homer, Yoshi Tsutsugo had a two-run double and the Pittsburgh Pirates rallied past the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Thursday night at Wrigley Field.The Pirates rebounded from a three-game sweep in Milwaukee with nine hits in the opener of a four-game series.AdvertisementPirates starter Bryce Wilson allowed Rafael Ortega’s leadoff single in the first, then walked three straight batters. Jonathan Villar added a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead, and Seiya Suzuki had an RBI groundout in the second for a 3-0 edge.[ [Don’t miss] Marcus Stroman is frustrated by another rough outing in the Cubs’ rain-shortened 8-2 loss to the Rays ]Vogelbach — a second-round pick by the Cubs in 2011 who spent five years in their minor-league system — homered in the third, and Tsutsugo’s double made it 4-3 Pirates in the fifth. That prompted Cubs manager David Ross to pull reliever Ethan Roberts (0-1) after two-thirds of an inning in which he gave up two earned runs, two hits, two walks and fanned two.AdvertisementScott Effross got the Cubs out of the fifth, then Chris Martin struck out three in the sixth, stranding Ben Gamel at third after a leadoff single and a throwing error.Cubs starter Mark Leiter Jr. gave up three hits and two runs, walking two and striking out three in four innings.Cubs starting pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. is congratulated in the dugout after shutting down the Pirates in the first inning at Wrigley Field on Thursday, April 21, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Wilson allowed three hits and three earned runs in three innings. He walked four and struck out two.Wil Crowe (1-0) fanned five Cubs in 2⅓ innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit. Dillon Peters and Heath Hembree pitched a scoreless seventh, leaving potential tying run Nico Hoerner stranded at third.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.David Bednar retired all four batters he faced, striking out two in 1⅓ innings before Chris Stratton entered to make his first save of the year.[ [Don’t miss] How the Cubs’ Ethan Roberts developed a nasty slider — and ‘exceeded whatever your loftiest expectations can be’ ]Five Cubs relievers combined for 4⅓ scoreless innings after the Pirates inched ahead in the fifth.Cubs first baseman Frank Schwindel had his nine-game hitting streak snapped.The Cubs (6-7) have dropped three in a row to dip below .500 after a series loss to the Tampa Bay Rays earlier in the week.AdvertisementPirates: The Pirates optioned RHP Roansy Contreras to Triple-A Indianapolis and called up RHP Chase De Jong. Manager Derek Shelton said Contreras will “have an impact as a starter this year” and that he felt the best place to “get him stretched” out was in Indianapolis. RHP Luis Oviedo was designated for assignment.Cubs: The Cubs dealt RHP Cory Abbott to the San Francisco Giants for cash after designating him for assignment Saturday. … The Cubs also acquired LHP Sean Newcomb from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Jesse Chavez and cash. Ross said he didn’t want to “prejudge” Newcomb before seeing him live, noting that the 28-year-old has had “some major-league success” and faced “some adversity.” Newcomb was available after joining the team Thursday. … Ross said LHP Wade Miley (left elbow inflammation) had a “really nice bullpen” session Wednesday. Ross said Miley will get a minor-league assignment before returning to the active roster.Former Cubs LHP José Quintana (0-1, 3.86 ERA) gets the call for the Pirates on Friday, while LHP Drew Smyly (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will start for the Cubs.

MILWAUKEE — Khris Middleton will miss at least the Milwaukee Bucks’ next game with a sprained medial collateral ligament after getting hurt in the fourth quarter of their Game 2 loss to the Chicago Bulls.The Bucks announced Thursday that the three-time All-Star won’t be available for Game 3 of the first-round playoff series Friday night at the United Center.AdvertisementExactly how much time Middleton will miss remains uncertain. As the defending champion Bucks spoke after the game Wednesday night, they braced for the possibility they could be missing Middleton for a significant time.“You feel for him,” guard Wesley Matthews said. “Khris is a huge part of this team, this organization, this city.”AdvertisementMiddleton headed into the locker room with 6:49 left in the Bucks’ 114-110 loss. His left leg gave out while he tried to plant on a spin move.Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The Bucks’ injury report for Friday’s game doesn’t include forward Bobby Portis, an indication he should be available after missing most of Game 2 with a right eye abrasion. Portis took a hit to the face from the Bulls’ Tristan Thompson late in the first quarter as both players were going after a rebound.The Bucks won’t have reserve guard George Hill, who hasn’t played in this series because of an abdominal strain.The Bucks have been through this situation before, dealing with a knee injury to one of their top players during the playoffs. Two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo hyperextended his left knee in Game 4 of last season’s Eastern Conference finals against the Atlanta Hawks.Antetokounmpo missed the final two games of that series but returned for the next round and was named the MVP of the Bucks’ NBA Finals victory over the Phoenix Suns.As he discussed Middleton’s injury Wednesday, Antetokounmpo said he could understand what his teammate is going through.“It’s tough,” Antetokounmpo said. “I know that feeling. You don’t want to listen to nobody. You don’t want to talk to nobody because you really don’t know what it is. Tomorrow you’re expecting the worst, hope for the best.“At the end of the day, he knows that we are by his side. I don’t need to say it to the media. He knows that he’s my brother no matter what. We need him to win. We’re going to pray, I’m going to pray for the best and hopefully it’s not too bad and he can join us because we need him.”ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 53Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan, center, is surrounded by teammates after hitting a shot over Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo late in the second half of Game 2 of a first-round playoff series on April 20, 2022, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

CLEVELAND — In a trip marked by sloppy weather and sloppy play, the Chicago White Sox took another hit in the eighth inning Thursday against the Cleveland Guardians.Center fielder Luis Robert exited the 6-3 loss with what manager Tony La Russa called “a little minor groin strain,” according to the initial opinion.AdvertisementWhile head athletic trainer James Kruk told La Russa the injury “looked like it was minor and it should be something that heals quickly,” La Russa also acknowledged a stint on the injured list for Robert is “a possibility, yeah.”Robert was injured after hitting a grounder to shortstop Andrés Giménez.Advertisement“I was running hard down the line and when I was getting to the base, I felt a little pull,” he said through an interpreter.Robert was hitless in his previous 20 at-bats entering Thursday. After striking out in the first, he snapped the skid with a leadoff double in the fourth. He singled again leading off the sixth before the groundout in the eighth.[ [Don’t miss] Going to a White Sox game? Here’s what to know if you’re headed to Guaranteed Rate Field this season. ]“We’re still early in the season,” Robert said. “I was trying to get into my groove again and feel more comfortable at home plate and now this thing happens. Still plenty of season to go and we’ll see. I definitely was feeling better today at home plate.”Robert’s early exit capped a series the Sox would rather forget.Poor weather led to postponements Monday and Tuesday, with Monday’s game to be made up as part of a split doubleheader July 12.AdvertisementThe Sox scored only one run in both ends of Wednesday’s doubleheader, falling 11-1 and 2-1. They committed four errors in Game 1.Every time the Sox were on the verge of getting back in Thursday’s game, the Guardians responded. The Sox head to Minnesota with a four-game losing streak.White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease throws against the Guardians during the first inning Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Cleveland. (Ron Schwane/AP)“We were a lot more ourselves today, we played better,” La Russa said. “But they outplayed us the whole series. That happens. We took care of our business. It wasn’t good enough.”Starter Dylan Cease allowed four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts and two walks in 5⅓ innings.“It was all right,” Cease said of his outing. “They did a really good job of putting the ball in play. I did OK throwing strikes. It definitely wasn’t the best.“(The Guardians are) good, they put the ball in play really well. They pitch and play defense too. They’re very fundamentally sound.”AdvertisementThe Guardians had clutch two-out hits, including a two-run home run by Franmil Reyes in the third.[ [Don’t miss] White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel reflects on 3 memorable wins — ‘very humbling experience’ — on his way to 100 career victories ]“(Cease) pitched well enough, he held them down,” La Russa said. “Overall, they had a couple chances there and he pitched out of it. I thought he pitched well, (the Sox) just couldn’t get enough going. We hit some balls hard, could have been a little more fortunate, but that’s the way it is.”The Sox also had bad breaks on the bases. Trailing 2-0 in the fourth, Robert doubled and Leury García walked. José Abreu’s fly to right was just out of reach for Reyes. Robert initially had to hold up, so García was on his tail around second and third. Robert headed home, where he was thrown out.“Those are the freak things that happen sometimes,” La Russa said. “If the guy catches the ball, (Robert) was going to tag and advance. Leury’s hustling, runs up his back and nothing you can do but send him.“I don’t think Luis had a bad play. If he would have been halfway and the guy catches it and he doesn’t get to third, it’s a bad play. And Leury hustling is not a bad play.”White Sox center fielder Luis Robert is tagged out by Guardians catcher Austin Hedges during the fourth inning Thursday, April 21, 2022, in Cleveland. (Ron Schwane/AP)The Sox scored twice in the seventh to get within 4-3 on a play that featured two throwing errors by the Guardians. But Cleveland answered with two in the bottom of the inning.AdvertisementNow the Sox await answers on Robert’s status. He was limited to 68 games last season because of a hip flexor strain.While the Sox anticipate the returns of outfielder AJ Pollock (right hamstring strain) and pitcher Lucas Giolito (left abdominal strain) this weekend against the Twins, with Giolito in line to start Sunday, the team still is missing third baseman Yoán Moncada (right oblique strain) and pitcher Lance Lynn (right knee surgery) among others.“No matter what, our focus has to be on what’s next and try to keep moving forward,” Robert said. “It’s difficult, we have some teammates down, but we have to keep moving forward. There’s no other way around.”

The Chicago Bears, under new coach Matt Eberflus, wrapped up their April minicamp Thursday afternoon at Halas Hall. Overall it wasn’t an eventful week, but the team got important work done on the field and in the classrooms as the 2022 reboot continues.Here are four notable things we learned this week.AdvertisementQuarterback Justin Fields works out on April 19, 2022, during Bears minicamp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)The Bears’ media policy prevents us from sharing much detail from Thursday’s closed practice, but rest assured it wasn’t the finest hour for Fields or the passing offense. An abundance of sloppiness offered a loud reminder that this is a major work in progress.Yes, this was a small collection of April practices under a new coach and offensive coordinator. The Bears are installing a new offensive system with an incomplete stable of playmakers. Thus no major conclusions should be drawn from a handful of erratic moments on a spring Thursday.AdvertisementStill, the Bears’ long-term prospects are tied tightly to the speed of Fields’ development. And this week was a reminder that all the optimism about where Fields might be in his growth over the next year or two will be hard to validate until on-field progress is noticeable.Fields acknowledged earlier this week that learning a new offense in his second season is an unfortunate detour after spending such a big chunk of 2021 trying to figure out former coach Matt Nagy’s scheme.“It would be easier if it was the same offense as last year and we were just able to grow on that,” Fields said. “But it’s kind of a reset with learning this new offense and picking it up.”[ [Don’t miss] The Chicago Bears promised to get help for Justin Fields. So what are the odds of a reunion with WR Chris Olave? ]Loosely translated: Bumpy patches are to be expected. And Eberflus is well aware of that.With the entire team, Eberflus has emphasized the need to adopt a growth mindset, a concept that applies directly to Fields in the upcoming months.“What does that mean?” Eberflus said. “That means that I’m going to learn from my performance — good, bad or indifferent. I’m going to take one rep at a time and learn from it. What can I take from that rep? As you watch this tape with your coaches, how can you grow and get better?“Even if I throw a touchdown or I make a (tackle for a loss) or I throw an interception or I get beat over the top for a touchdown, there’s learning that takes place within that performance. We have to do a great job of learning through those performances.”Eberflus said he didn’t sense any frustration from Fields and the offense during Thursday’s mild turbulence. He also acknowledged the challenge Fields faces in having to absorb a new offense after 10 starts as a rookie in a different system.Advertisement[ [Don’t miss] Column: David Montgomery is embracing change at Halas Hall. How will the Chicago Bears running back fit the new scheme? ]“It’s the process of it,” Eberflus said. “It’s just like when you’re learning anything new — a new skill, an athletic skill or intellectual skill. For everybody, that takes time. It’s a process. You have to go through that. Just learn one day at a time.”Shaky sessions like Thursday’s are far more tolerable in mid-April than they will be in mid-August or beyond. For now, they are simply representative of the inevitable bumps in the road.Eddie Jackson stretches at Bears minicamp on April 20, 2022. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Next week will mark the fifth anniversary of the Bears drafting Jackson. Former general manager Ryan Pace traded up to select the Alabama safety at No. 112 in Round 4. Now Jackson is the last survivor of a 2017 Bears draft class that included quarterback Mitch Trubisky, tight end Adam Shaheen, running back Tarik Cohen and offensive lineman Jordan Morgan.“It’s crazy to really think about that,” Jackson acknowledged after practice Thursday.It’s also crazy to think Jackson is heading into his sixth season with his third head coach and fourth defensive coordinator. That leaves him with, in Eberflus’ words, “a clean slate” to reestablish himself and show the new regime what’s next in his career.AdvertisementThe first impression he hopes to make? “I’m willing to buy in,” Jackson said. “Whatever it takes. Whatever they ask of me, I’m willing to do it.”Jackson’s early rise was impressive. He recorded eight interceptions, forced three fumbles, recovered four fumbles and scored five touchdowns in his first two seasons with Vic Fangio as his defensive coordinator.His production the last three years — two picks, one touchdown — hasn’t measured up. In addition to the fall-off in ball production, his tackling has been inconsistent and he hasn’t reliably prevented big plays.Jackson said his 2021 season “wasn’t the best at all.”“That was probably one of my worst seasons,” he said. “I gave up too many deep balls. I’m just trying to eliminate that.”[ [Don’t miss] As Roquan Smith gets acquainted with a new regime, he ‘absolutely’ wants to stay with the Chicago Bears long term ]As he fits into a new defense under Eberflus and coordinator Alan Williams, Jackson feels increasingly comfortable with how much he’s being asked to scan from the back end.Advertisement“(Now) you just see what’s in front of you and play,” he said.Eberflus said he has noticed a greater hunger in Jackson this month.“I can see it in his attitude and his demeanor,” Eberflus said. “I could see it in his eyes when I talk to him that he is energized. He sees this as a fresh start for him. I can see it in his practice, too, with just the way he’s carrying himself.”Bears coach Matt Eberflus walks the field on April 19, 2022, during minicamp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)Those are Eberflus’ words. They’ve been repeated for emphasis this week. And they will continue to be underscored for players throughout the rest of the spring and summer.Since taking the job in January, Eberflus has been intentional with the messages he’s hammering home for his team. By now, Bears players and fans are well aware of the coach’s H.I.T.S. principle — a desire for players to operate with hustle, intensity, a takeaway mentality and situational smarts.Eberflus’ goal of leading an “effort-based team” also revolves around the concept of finishing, of pushing as hard as possible through the end of every drill and every practice rep with a focus on the little details.AdvertisementOnce again, finish matters.“We detail that out with the players,” Eberflus said. “That’s by position. And we’ll talk to the guys about that: ‘This is a good finish here, this one needs to improve.’”[ [Don’t miss] Chicago Bears Q&A: Is there a position no one is talking about to target in Round 2? Who is playing left tackle to start minicamp? ]Asked for a specific example of a finishing correction he might make with players at this stage, Eberflus was happy to dive in, using an outside toss play to the right as his example.“The offensive line is going (to the right). And so you’ve got a defensive end on the back side and they’re not blocking him,” Eberflus said. “(The offensive linemen) are going to go climb to the linebackers. And that defensive end is chasing that play. Typically that play cuts up around the numbers or inside the numbers, right?“So let’s say the thing cuts up there and the defensive player could have made that play but he stops right around the split and he doesn’t finish. He stops a little short but he could have made the play. We’ll just tell him … ‘Hey, you’ve got to finish those last 3 yards. We want you to accelerate all the way to and through the tag.’ That would be an example of that.“Another example would be a receiver on the back side blocking that same play. He’s supposed to climb up to the safety. But say he gets halfway in the middle of the field and he stops. Well, that’s not good enough. You have to keep on going to that safety and finish that block. That matters. That matters in the NFL. It matters at every level. We can do that better than anybody else does. And that’s what we’re going to try to do.”AdvertisementDefensive end Trevis Gipson stretches on April 20, 2022, during Bears minicamp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune)When the Bears traded standout pass rusher Khalil Mack to the Los Angeles Chargers last month, it was a symbolic page flip and an indicator the team is building for the future. It also presented increased opportunity for others to step up in Mack’s absence.Robert Quinn enjoyed a remarkable 2021 season, setting a single-season team record with 18½ sacks. But after Mack went on injured reserve with a foot injury in November, Gipson took his game to a new level and finished his second season with seven sacks and five forced fumbles.“I like him a lot,” Eberflus said. “With the film I saw from last year, we know he had the sack production. He’s an athletic, long player who’s able to capture the edge, able to level rush and has a good motor on him. So we’re excited about his athletic ability on the corner.”The Bears drafted Gipson in the fifth round two years ago out of a 4-3 system at Tulsa in which he was a traditional hand-on-the-ground defensive end. Over the last two years, he put in a significant effort to change himself into a reliable outside linebacker in a 3-4 system.Now, with Eberflus bringing a 4-3 defense back, Gipson is finding the adjustments smooth and natural.[ [Don’t miss] Will the Chicago Bears try to move into the 1st round? Brad Biggs’ NFL mock draft 2.0. ]“It’s actually more comfortable for me,” Gipson said this week. “I can get off (the ball) faster with my hand in the dirt. In a two-point (stance), I’m looking around. There’s a bunch of movement in the backfield (to account for). Now I can create more explosion when I have a hand in the dirt.”AdvertisementAs Gipson carves out a new role, Eberflus is eager to see how much Gipson can move around as a pass rusher.“It’s really just trying to figure out where he fits holistically in our defense,” Eberflus said.

DETROIT — Thirteen sexual assault victims of Larry Nassar are seeking $10 million each from the FBI, claiming a bungled investigation by agents led to more abuse by the sports doctor, lawyers said Thursday.It’s an effort to make the government responsible for assaults that occurred after July 2015. The Justice Department’s inspector general concluded last year that the FBI made fundamental errors when it became aware of allegations against Nassar that year.AdvertisementNassar was a Michigan State University sports doctor as well as a doctor at USA Gymnastics. He is serving decades in prison for assaulting female athletes, including medal-winning Olympic gymnasts.“This was not a case involving fake 20 dollar bills or tax cheats,” attorney Jamie White said. “These were allegations of a serial rapist who was known to the FBI as the Olympic U.S. doctor with unfettered access to young women.”AdvertisementNassar, he added, continued a “reign of terror for 17 unnecessary months.”An email seeking comment was sent to the FBI.White is not suing the FBI yet. Under federal law, tort claims must be a filed with a government agency, which then has six months to reply. A lawsuit could follow, depending on the FBI’s response.“No one should have been assaulted after the summer of 2015 because the FBI should have done its job,” said Grace French, founder of a group called The Army of Survivors. “To know that the FBI could have helped to avoid this trauma disgusts me.”White noted the 2018 massacre at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The FBI received a tip about five weeks before 17 people were killed at the school, but the tip was never forwarded to the FBI’s South Florida office. The government agreed to pay $127.5 million to families of those killed or injured.In the Nassar case, Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics told local FBI agents in 2015 that three gymnasts said they were assaulted by Nassar. But the FBI did not open a formal investigation or inform federal or state authorities in Michigan, according to the inspector general’s report.Los Angeles FBI agents in 2016 began a sexual tourism investigation against Nassar and interviewed several victims but also didn’t alert Michigan authorities, the inspector general said.White said more than 100 women were assaulted after July 2015, and he expects other lawyers will file claims against the FBI. Nassar wasn’t arrested until November 2016 during an investigation by Michigan State University police.AdvertisementFBI Director Christopher Wray has said he’s “deeply and profoundly sorry” for delays in Nassar’s prosecution and the pain it caused.The Michigan attorney general’s office ultimately handled the assault charges, while federal prosecutors in Grand Rapids, Michigan, filed a child pornography case against Nassar.Michigan State University agreed to pay $500 million to more than 300 women and girls who were assaulted. USA Gymnastics and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee made a $380 million settlement.

MILWAUKEE — The Chicago Bulls knew what was coming when they exited the Fiserv Forum locker room for the second half of Game 2.With a 63-49 lead in their pocket, the Bulls were more confident than they’d been in a game in weeks. But a double-digit lead only means so much when two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is staring you down from across the court.AdvertisementSo the Bulls knew what needed to happen to withstand the oncoming flurry from the Bucks — bend, but don’t break.“We talked about it at halftime, not coming out of the second half lackadaisical,” DeMar DeRozan said. “We were ready for it. We had a lot of games this year where we came out in the third quarter and laid an egg. This time around we were just trying to understand the moment.”AdvertisementBulls guard Alex Caruso celebrates beside Bucks guard Grayson Allen (7) in the second half on April 20, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)The next two quarters devolved into a dogfight between the both team’s stars. Khris Middleton sank four 3-pointers in the third quarter. Antetokounmpo leapt between Bulls players to rebound a missed free throw and jam it into the basket to cut the lead down to eight points, then smacked away DeRozan’s final shot of the quarter.In the fourth quarter, DeRozan knocked down back-to-back jumpers over Antetokounmpo’s hand. Nikola Vučević sank a pair of 3-pointers from the top of the arc. Alex Caruso stepped in front of Antetokounmpo for the final play of the game, drawing a charge to snuff out the last attempt at a tying drive.When the Bucks pulled within three points in the third, the Bulls stars grabbed each other to form a huddle on the court. The tone was urgent, but coach Billy Donovan said it held an undercurrent of self-belief: “Hey, we’re going to make a run. Now it’s time for us to respond. We’ve got to respond right now.”For the Bulls, managing the topsy-turvy nature of a playoff game has been a key learning curve in this opening series. This is an unexperienced postseason team — DeRozan, Caruso and Tristan Thompson have played and won in the postseason, but stars like Zach LaVine are unexperienced in this atmosphere.Donovan warned his players that it’s rare to hold a lead in the playoffs. That rang true in Game 2 as the Bulls repelled three Bucks’ comeback attempts that nearly swung the score.The Bucks went on a 17-6 run to close the third quarter. The Bulls countered with a 9-0 run to start the fourth. Each time the score ticked closer, the Milwaukee crowd rumbled into a pitched roar, heightening every play and jeering every mistake.Bucks forward Khris Middleton tries to make a pass as Bulls center Nikola Vucevic (9) and guard Alex Caruso (6) apply pressure in the second half on April 20, 2022. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.“The really good teams in this league, they do that,” Donovan said. “They understand the swings in the game, they don’t get emotionally wrapped up and they’re able to focus on the next possession in front of them and just go out there and play. I think we’ve learned some of that.”At times this season, the Bulls have looked shaken, even defeated. They dug themselves into holes in first quarters and imploded in third quarters. Injuries forced young players into roles they weren’t expected to carry. The team ended the regular season with a dismal losing spell, giving up crushing losses that created a fair cloud of questions over whether this team had the legs to even get a single playoff win.Advertisement“The last four home games, that really was not us at all,” Donovan said. “It was disappointing to be playing and feel like we were better than that.”But Wednesday’s win returned the Bulls to the roots of the team that sat atop the Eastern Conference at the start of the year.Caruso noted the game plan for Game 2 wasn’t that different from Game 1. The defensive scheme stayed the same. The offense still ran through DeRozan and Vučević. The difference came from intensity, an intangible that required nonstop focus to keep the Bucks from breaking through.The win gave the Bulls a lift they’ve been needing for months. And as they return to Chicago for their first home playoff game, it’s the type of momentum they hope can swing a series.“We had a long season, we had a lot of adversity,” Caruso said. “It was almost a little bit like we were just trying to start the playoffs already. We were kind of in a hole, but we got our spirit back.”ExpandAutoplayImage 1 of 41Bulls forward DeMar DeRozan (11) walks to the bench in the final seconds of the second half of Game 1 on April 17, 2022, at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. (Armando L. Sanchez / Chicago Tribune)

Somebody had to win.In the battle of two NHL lottery chasers, the Chicago Blackhawks gave up a two-goal lead to the Arizona Coyotes in the third period, but pulled out a 4-3 win in overtime — thanks to Alex DeBrincat’s game-winner.Advertisement“Feels good,” coach Derek King said. “I thought we played pretty decent. I didn’t like some of our puck plays at the end, especially when they tilted the ice. But young mistakes and this is how they’re going to learn.”DeBrincat said, “Feels like we’re battling every night. We let them back in there but it’s nice to get a win.”AdvertisementHere are three takeaways from the win.It means a lot statistically — let’s be clear — but DeBrincat and Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor are the only members of the 40-goal club this season whose teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, and Connor’s Jets were just eliminated Wednesday night.DeBrincat has been chasing the ghost of 2018-19 when he put up 41 goals. That breakout season put those expectations on him, fairly or not.He actually shot better (20.6%) during last year’s 56-game schedule with 32 goals, but despite a 15.7% clip this season, “40-goal season” carries a different air.“It’s awesome,” DeBrincat said. “I think I’ve had a lot of good players I’ve been playing with. Lot of credit to them. I don’t think you cherish it as much when it’s in your second season, and then you realize how hard it is to get back.”Against the Coyotes, Patrick Kane slipped a cross-crease pass to DeBrincat for a backdoor tap-in with 37 seconds left in overtime. Kane, who has assisted on 35 of DeBrincat’s goals (29 as the primary), helped his linemate break up a seven-game dry spell.“So I was stuck there for a while, but lucky I’ve got Kaner passing to me,” DeBrincat said.Kane was at the goalmouth when Vlasic fired down from the top of the left circle, and the puck bounced off Nick Schmaltz’s skate and into the net.AdvertisementFirst NHL goal in the books for the rookie defenseman.“It’s good to get it out of the way and I don’t know how that one snuck in there but I’m just glad it went in, I guess” Vlasic said.But then there’s the adage: Rookies taketh, but they also giveth away.In the Hawks defensive zone, Vlasic attempted to pass up ice to DeBrincat when Schmaltz, looking over his shoulder at Vlasic, intercepted the pass to set up Anton Stralman’s third-period score for the Coyotes that forced overtime.“I definitely could’ve made a better play with that, just putting it up the wall instead of up through the middle,” Vlasic said. “But that’s just part of the game, you make mistakes, try not to dwell on it too long.”King said, “This is the stuff he’ll learn as he gets some more (maturity) and he’ll get better and better, more games under his belt.”AdvertisementThat was a critical mistake, but defensively Vlasic looked more confident than he had in his nine previous games, playing sound defense, forechecking hard and making smart and timely plays with his stick.“He was probably our best defenseman on the ice today,” King said.Vlasic will get a chance to celebrate with cousin and San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who he’ll see for the second time this month later this week.“We’ve got a day off coming, hopefully I can get out to my cousin’s house for a little bit,” the rookie said. “I think he said something about a steak dinner, but I don’t know if I’ll hold him to it.”Chicago Tribune SportsWeekdaysA daily sports newsletter delivered to your inbox for your morning commute.The Hawks carried a 3-1 lead into the third period, but allowed two Coyotes goals to send it to overtime.It’s familiar territory for the Hawks. They took a one-goal lead in the second period against the Nashville Predators, then gave a goal right back 43 seconds later.AdvertisementThe Hawks grabbed the lead three times against the Sharks and had a two-goal lead in the third period, but had to scratch out a shootout victory.And then there’s the infamous Buffalo Sabres game, when they frittered away a 4-0 lead and lost 6-5 with a power-play goal with 12 seconds left.“I think maybe we get away from our game a little, try to put more up on the board,” DeBrincat said. “We just need to play sound defense, not turn the puck over and hopefully we can get in their zone and start playing offense.”King added, “When we have the lead, we don’t realize we don’t need to score a goal every shift that we get out there. Sometimes you’ve got to live to fight another day kind of attitude, get the puck deep, you don’t have to make that extra play to see if we can get some offense going.“And that’s where we’ve been making mistakes and that’s what’s been costing us for the season.”

Mike Tyson took his skills out of the ring Wednesday night when he repeatedly punched a passenger on a plane that was set to take off from San Francisco to Florida.The retired heavyweight boxer was filmed leaning over the back of his seat and attacking the man, leaving him bloodied, according to video obtained by TMZ.AdvertisementThe passenger, seated in a row behind Brooklyn-born Tyson, asked for a selfie with the 55-year-old fighter, then kept talking, according to TMZ. Tyson, seemingly annoyed at the chatterbox, shut him up with his fists.A second video, filmed across the aisle, corroborates that story, as the passenger excitedly tries to talk to Tyson through the seats.Advertisement“My boy just got beat up by Mike Tyson,” the man recording says. “He got f–ked up.”Sources told TMZ that the passenger was “extremely intoxicated.”The attack happened at around 10:30 p.m. PT, according to TMZ, and JetBlue had a flight departing San Francisco International Airport at 10:54 p.m., landing in Miami just before 7 a.m. local time.Reps for Tyson and JetBlue did not immediately return requests for comment from the Daily News Thursday.The passenger was bloodied from repeated punches. (TMZ Sports)The passenger reportedly met with police, but it’s unclear if charges have been or will be filed. A spokesperson for the San Francisco Police Department did not immediately answer questions from The News.Earlier Wednesday, Tyson had been on stage at San Francisco’s 420 cannabis festival in Golden Gate Park, promoting his cannabis brand, Tyson 2.0, according to SF Gate.