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.
Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images
C.J. Elleby of the Portland Trail Blazers collides with Justin James of the Sacramento Kings in the fourth quarter during their preseason game at Moda Center on Dec. 11, 2020, in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
I was following CJ Elleby of the Portland Trail Blazers pretty frequently with my camera during this game because he was the Blazers’ second-round pick in this year’s NBA draft. I was mainly focused on shooting stock photos of him dribbling with the ball when suddenly he tripped over Justin James of the Sacramento Kings and lost control of the ball. Shooting from up high this season makes it more difficult to capture exciting action shots, but luckily, I had this happen right in front of me, and thankfully without anyone getting hurt.
— Abbie Parr
Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images
Harris English of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during the final round of the QBE Shootout at Tiburon Golf Club on Dec. 13, 2020, in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Going into Sunday’s match, Harris English and Matt Kuchar had the QBE Shootout locked down with a five-stroke lead, best ball format for play and a history of winning the Shootout at Tiburon twice before. The pair shot a 60, with English finishing birdie-eagle-birdie to break their previous scoring record and win by 9 strokes. When we approached the eighth tee, I saw the opportunity to capture a silhouette from behind, obscuring the messy background and creating an image that better represented the beauty of the day. I like the way the sun is a star above the clouds here like English and Kuchar were the stars above the others in the tournament.
— Cliff Hawkins
Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Fullback Kyle Juszczyk of the San Francisco 49ers dives into the end zone for a touchdown over cornerback Kendall Fuller of the Washington Football Team in the fourth quarter of the game at State Farm Stadium on Dec. 13, 2020, in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
With the increasing COVID-19 protocols in California, the San Francisco 49ers had two of their games moved to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. This was great news to me as I love shooting professional football. The game itself was not as exciting as I hoped, but in the fourth quarter, the 49ers made a strong push, which was highlighted by the touchdown in this photo. To mix things up, I went up to the concourse behind the end zone. It made for a great angle on this score, showing how Fullback Kyle Juszczyk dove in for points. In the end, it was not enough for the win but made for a great image.
— Christian Petersen
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
The New York Giants wait in the tunnel prior to taking the field against the Arizona Cardinals before their game at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 13, 2020, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Malcolm Butler of the Tennessee Titans intercepts the ball in front of D.J. Chark of the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images
Quindrelin Hammonds, Nathaniel Smith, Hamilton Baker, and A.J. Howard of the Army Black Knights wave to the crowd during the fourth quarter of a game against the Navy Midshipmen at Michie Stadium on Dec. 12, 2020, in West Point, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images
Dakota Allen of the Jacksonville Jaguars takes the field before the game against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field on Dec. 13, 2020, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Hunter Renfrow flips over Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Bobby Okereke and free safety Julian Blackmon during the third quarter at Allegiant Stadium on Dec. 13, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images
Lionel Messi of Barcelona looks to the empty stands during the La Liga Santander match between FC Barcelona and Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Dec. 16, 2020, in Barcelona, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain 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 David Ramos/Getty Images)
Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Javier Pinola of River Plate fights for the ball with Mateo Coronel of Argentinos Juniors during a match between River Plate and Argentinos Juniors as part Copa Diego Maradona’s Zona Campeonato play-offs at Estadio Libertadores de America on Dec. 13, 2020, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)
Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images
Yairo Moreno of Leon celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the final second leg match between Leon and Pumas UNAM as part of the Torneo Guard1anes 2020 Liga MX at Leon Stadium on Dec.13, 2020, in Leon, Mexico. (Photo by Leopoldo Smith/Getty Images)
Credit: Laurence Griffiths / Getty Images
Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images
Masayoshi Nakatani knocks-out Felix Verdejo during their fight at the MGM Grand Conference Center on Dec. 12, 2020, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
Photo by Agence Zoom/Getty Images
Mikaela Shiffrin of USA in action during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Giant Slalom on Dec. 14, 2020, in Courchevel, France. (Photo by Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images
A group competes during the men’s 10 km cross country mass start on Day 2 of the FIS Nordic Combined Continental Cup at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center on Dec. 12, 2020, in Midway, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes and Great Britain during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on Dec.13, 2020, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images)
Photo by Miguel Schincariol/Getty Images
Vitoria Cristina Silva Rosa competes in the Women’s 200m final during the XXXIX Brazil Caixa Athletics Trophy at Olympic Training and Research Center on Dec. 12, 2020, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Miguel Schincariol/Getty Images)
Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images
Nadeen Payne of the Fire controls the ball under pressure from Marena Whittle of the Lightning during the round five WNBL match between the Townsville Fire and the Adelaide Lightning at Cairns Pop Up Arena, on Dec.11, 2020, in Cairns, Australia. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)