Is the absence of "Open in new tab" an antipattern?

Over the years with applications going more 'SPA' like I have noticed many sites using JavaScript click handlers for websites links which are visually a normal hyperlink (the login link on figma.com for example).

All of the links in the navigation here are <a href=""> except the Log in and Sign Up options, both which open a popup.

Personally, if I'm both trying to login but perhaps also read the Blog link I might right click one or both and use browser functionality to "Open in new tab" leaving me with two tabs open.

By putting no <a> element on links (I can more forgive the button) it prevents me from using browser functions I might expect which I find frustrating.

Has this been discussed before? is it an anti-pattern? Is there a technical way to give the normal <a> behaviour as well as the JavaScript popup behaviour if I'm not right clicking?