17 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 warms up before playing against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Jan. 27, 2021, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Since Kobe Bryant’s passing last January, LeBron James has worn this band on his finger in his honor. The anniversary was the day before and I wanted to make something to represent and commemorate the occasion.

— Tim Nwachukwu

Advertisements cover spectators seating as the Boston Bruins play against the Washington Capitals during the first period at Capital One Arena on Feb. 1, 2021, in Washington, DC. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no fans were permitted to the game.

As the NHL season recently kicked off, I wanted to showcase the impact of the arena with no fans in attendance. Having photographed this wide-angle direct overhead image previously to illustrate a sellout crowd, I wanted to do the same with the spectator seating covered by advertisements. It’s a sobering view comparing regular-season NHL games before and after COVID-19. The pandemic has changed the way we’ve all viewed sports and continues to be visually historic – and this image will serve as a reminder of that when we are all able to watch sporting events live again.

— Patrick Smith

Andre Drummond of the Cleveland Cavaliers is fouled as he has for the net by Mitchell Robinson of the New York Knicks in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 29, 2021, in New York City.

Historically, when the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers play each other, it’s a hard-hitting game, and last week’s game was no exception. I wanted to show the intensity of play and decided to use a lens that I wouldn’t normally use for shooting basketball. I used a 600mm lens to focus in on the action. Normally, I use this lens to cover NFL and MLB games where the field of play is much larger. Mitchell Robinson of the Knicks is always tough when he is on defense and sometimes it catches up with him as he fouls Andre Drummond of the Cavaliers in this photo. Because of the COVID-19 restrictions, photographers are not working courtside. This elevated angle allows me to see both player’s faces and the entanglement of their arms is more apparent from this vantage point.

— Elsa

An aerial view of Raymond James Stadium ahead of Super Bowl LV on Jan. 31, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Sammy Davis of Boston Pride skates against Cassidy MacPherson of Buffalo Beauts during the second period of the Isobel Cup Game between the Buffalo Beauts and the Boston Pride at Herb Brooks Arena on Feb. 1, 2021, in Lake Placid, New York. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

Tyler Johnson of the Tampa Bay Lightning breaks his stick shooting the puck during a game against the Nashville Predators at Amalie Arena on Jan. 30, 2021, in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Terry Rozier of the Charlotte Hornets attempts a layup as he is fouled by Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers during the third quarter of their game at Spectrum Center on Jan. 27, 2021, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Noah Williams of the Washington State Cougars attempts to dunk the ball but misses because of a foul by Washington Huskies during the second half at Alaska Airlines Arena on Jan. 31, 2021, in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Kristoffer Broberg of Sweden plays his second shot on the tenth during Day One of the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club on Jan. 28, 2021, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

Patrick Reed hits his tee shot on the 6th hole during the final round of the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines South on Jan. 31, 2021, in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand in his Group A singles match against Denis Shapovalov of Canada during day one of the 2021 ATP Cup at Rod Laver Arena on Feb. 2, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal of Spain plays a forehand shot during a practice session at Melbourne Park on Jan. 31, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. Melbourne Park is now out of lockdown mode following the end of the player and support staff quarantine period after arriving in Melbourne on International flights and they can resume a regular practice schedule ahead of lead in tournaments before the 2021 Australian Open. (Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)

Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal is challenged by Harry Maguire of Manchester United which results in a yellow card for Harry Maguire during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on Jan. 30, 2021, in London, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Picture, made with a drone, shows the Allianz Arena soccer stadium illuminated in rainbow colors during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern Muenchen and TSG Hoffenheim on Jan. 30, 2021, in Munich, Germany. On the occasion of the “Remembrance Day in German Football”, FC Bayern wants to send a signal against discrimination and raise awareness for more tolerance in our society. (Photo by Alexandra Beier/Getty Images)

Ryan Shotton of the Victory heads the ball during the A-League match between Western United and the Melbourne Victory at AAMI Park, on January 30, 2021, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Leandro Castan (C) of Vasco da Gama fouls Douglas Friedrich of Bahia and receives the red card during the match between Vasco da Gama and Bahia as part of the Brasileirao Series A at Sao Januario Stadium on Jan. 31, 2021, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Bruna Prado/Getty Images)

Ana Peleteiro of Spain competes in the Triple Jump during the Indoor Track and Field Meeting Karlsruhe at Europahalle on Jan. 29, 2021, in Karlsruhe, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)