13 incredible sports photos from Getty Images this week

The sports world makes for a beautiful palette but individual images can get lost in the constant shuffle. Here are the best Getty Images sports photos from this week.

LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers is defended by Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat during the fourth quarter in Game 5 of the 2020 NBA Finals at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on Oct. 9, 2020, in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

The Miami Heat staved off elimination in Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers behind another monumental performance from Jimmy Butler. In this picture, Butler sends back LeBron James’ shot, a crucial play that helped seal the win in the final minutes.

— Mike Ehrmann

Deionte Thompson and Jordan Hicks of the Arizona Cardinals tackle Robby Anderson of the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter of their game at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 04, 2020, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rafael Nadal of Spain serves during his Men’s Singles fourth-round match against Sebastian Korda of The United States of America on day eight of the 2020 French Open at Roland Garros on Oct. 04, 2020, in Paris, France.

Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves celebrates his home run during the first inning against the Miami Marlins in Game 1 of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 06, 2020, in Houston, Texas.

I have covered the MLB playoffs over the last several years in Houston, but this year due to COVID-19 restrictions, it has been much different covering them than in years’ past. As a sports photographer, I have had to adapt based on my shooting position in the stands and shooting through a net, which comes with its challenges. I now use a longer telephoto lens and went into the playoffs with a slightly different approach from the regular season games. I tend to stick on the batter a bit longer than I normally would, which resulted in this electric shot of Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves during Game 1 of the series against the Miami Marlins. I watched the ball fly out in the corner of my eye and I knew as soon as Acuna Jr. realized it would be a home run, that he would celebrate in glorious fashion. I stayed on him as he rounded first base. He turned slightly towards his teammates in the dugout to celebrate and that is when I got this image, full of excitement and ready to dominate the series.

— Elsa

Joey Logano, driver of the No. 22 Shell Pennzoil Ford, Kevin Harvick, driver of the No. 4 Jimmy John’s Ford, Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 18 M&M’s Toyota, and Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 19 Bass Pro Shops Toyota, are involved in an on-track incident during the NASCAR Cup Series YellaWood 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 04, 2020, in Talladega, Alabama.

Jewell Loyd of the Seattle Storm does a confetti angel on the court after defeating the Las Vegas Aces 92-59 following Game 3 of the WNBA Finals to win the Championship at Feld Entertainment Center on Oct. 06, 2020, in Palmetto, Florida.

Jockey Robby Albarado riding Swiss Skydiver (R) wins the 145th Running of the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course on Oct. 3, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. Typically the second leg of the Triple Crown, and scheduled for May 16, the race was moved to Oct. 3 without fans due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Originally slated to take place on May 16, we had to wait five additional months for the 145th Preakness Stakes due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The race didn’t disappoint, however, as it was a duel to the finish line with Swiss Skydiver edging out the Kentucky Derby winner, Authentic, becoming the only the sixth filly to win the race. In this image, I wanted to capture the show and place finisher’s coming down the stretch as their jockey’s urged them to victory.

— Patrick Smith

Wesley Bryan reacts to his shot on the fourth tee during the final round of the Sanderson Farms Championship at The Country Club of Jackson on Oct. 04, 2020, in Jackson, Mississippi.

Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts at second base after hitting a double during the fourth inning against the San Diego Padres in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Globe Life Field on Oct. 08, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.

Carlton Davis of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers breaks up a pass intended for Allen Robinson II of the Chicago Bears in the first quarter at Soldier Field on Oct. 08, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois.

Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves scores on a single by Dansby Swanson during the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on Oct. 08, 2020, in Houston, Texas.

Mariah Stackhouse of the United States plays her shot from the fourth tee during the first round of the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club on Oct. 08, 2020, in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

Darnell Mooney of the Chicago Bears is tackled in the second quarter by Justin Houston of the Indianapolis Colts at Soldier Field on Oct. 04, 2020, in Chicago, Illinois.