For LeBron James and the Lakers, a Dress Rehearsal for a New Era

By JOHN BRANCH from NYT Sports It was only an exhibition, but James played his first minutes in the Lakers’ purple and gold, providing a tantalizing taste of what is to come this season.https://nyti.ms/2Nc5Qeo

Blake Bortles Carves Up the Jets in Jaguars’ Win

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports The Jets also had three turnovers in the second half as they dropped their third straight game.https://nyti.ms/2xQhhn8

Seahawks’ Earl Thomas Breaks Leg Amid Contract Negotiations

By KEN BELSON from NYT Sports Thomas, a nine-year veteran, had been holding out earlier this season out of a fear of getting injured before securing a new long-term deal. His $8.5 million salary this season is only partially guaranteed.https://nyti.ms/2IvGdEI

The Mets, Their Season Mercifully Ended, Turn to G.M. Search

By JAMES WAGNER from NYT Sports Since Sandy Alderson stepped away in June, the team been led by three executives. Finding a replacement to strengthen the team is priority No. 1.https://nyti.ms/2NcJLfy

M.L.B. Playoffs: National League Needs One More Day to Determine Matchups

By TYLER KEPNER from NYT Sports On Monday, the Cubs will host the Brewers and the Rockies will play at the Dodgers for their division titles. The losers will meet in the wild-card game on Tuesday.https://nyti.ms/2P1AcC7

Giants Offense, Poised for Breakthrough, Wilts Against Saints

By ZACH SCHONBRUN from NYT Sports The signs seemed to point to the Giants being able to reach 30 points for the first time in two years. Instead, it was just more mediocrity.https://nyti.ms/2DHB0uq

It’s Lou Lamoriello’s Islanders, With a Nod to the Yankees

By DAVE CALDWELL from NYT Sports The team’s new G.M. has brought a championship pedigree and a clean-shaven look to Long Island — and lured Barry Trotz to the bench.https://nyti.ms/2QpuLNF

N.F.L. Scores: Live Week 4 Highlights and Updates

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN from NYT Sports The unbeaten Miami Dolphins will try to knock the New England Patriots back to 1-3 to start the season. Stay here for live updates from N.F.L. Week 4.https://nyti.ms/2xMYqcu

For David Wright and Mets Fans, One Last Night to Remember

By MICHAEL POWELL from NYT Sports Too many injuries prevented Wright from having a more illustrious career, but he received a glowing and deserved send-off in his final appearance as a Mets player.https://nyti.ms/2Nd3vzI

Ryder Cup 2018: Europe Again Defends Its Soil Against the U.S.

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports With golf’s premier team event back on their continent, the Europeans avenged a 2016 loss in the States and won for the seventh time in the last nine competitions.https://nyti.ms/2xMYoRU

In Ryder Cup, Europe Leaves Egos at Door. Those of U.S. Slam the Door.

By KAREN CROUSE from NYT Sports A news conference after another American loss on foreign soil lays bare recriminations that again reflect a team divided.https://nyti.ms/2NdbJrD

Yankees March to Playoffs With Two Rookies on the Field, and One in the Dugout

By DAVID WALDSTEIN from NYT Sports The rookies Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres are expected to play key roles in the postseason. Oh, and there’s also that first-year manager.https://nyti.ms/2xN8wdE

College Football: Depleted Clemson Escapes an Upset Against Syracuse

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports In other games, Alabama romped, Georgia won, and so did Oklahoma.https://nyti.ms/2Iq5uQt

Ohio State Rallies to Still the Roar at Penn State

By MARC TRACY from NYT Sports The No. 4 Buckeyes, spurred by an unsung receiver, defeated the No. 9 Nittany Lions in a Big Ten brawl.https://nyti.ms/2QgiGKr

M.L.B. Playoff Races: In the N.L., the Final Day May Not Be the Last Word

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports The two remaining divisional battles for first place could each come down to a tiebreaker game, keeping the wild-card matchup up in the air.https://nyti.ms/2Om70Zj

For David Wright, the Mets’ No. 5, a Sweet End to a Painful Journey

By TYLER KEPNER from NYT Sports Wright, the injury-plagued face of the franchise, started for the last time, and for the first time in 854 days. His finale brought a “playoff atmosphere” to Citi Field.https://nyti.ms/2xNH0MM

For David Luiz and Chelsea, Everything’s Perfect. Until Suddenly It’s Not.

By RORY SMITH from NYT Sports A late Liverpool goal turned a Chelsea win into a draw.https://nyti.ms/2zEs4Sw

For Phil Mickelson at Ryder Cup, One Last Chance to Deliver

By KAREN CROUSE from NYT Sports Mickelson was a spectator on Saturday. In Sunday’s singles, the United States will need him to produce.https://nyti.ms/2IvsLAJ

Yankees Send One Over the Fence and Into the Record Book

By DAVID WALDSTEIN from NYT Sports Gleyber Torres’s two-run blast in the fourth inning was the Yankees’ 265th home run, breaking the record for the most by a major league team in a season. Giancarlo Stanton hit No. 266 in the seventh.https://nyti.ms/2OrT9AU

Didier Deschamps Doesn’t Care About Style Points

By TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports A grinding champion as a player has become a grinding champion as France’s coach. And he has no plans to change what’s working.https://nyti.ms/2NT8mv6

Ronaldo’s Lawyers Threaten Lawsuit Over Rape Accusation

By REUTERS from NYT Sports Lawyers for Cristiano Ronaldo said they would sue a German magazine after it published accusations by an American woman who says they player raped her in 2009.https://nyti.ms/2DFhpep

Europe Widens Lead Over U.S. at the Ryder Cup

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports Europe took a 10-6 lead into Sunday’s singles matches, but Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth won twice to keep the United States close.https://nyti.ms/2Ir7xE2

The Greatest 10-9 Season Ever

By TYLER KEPNER from NYT Sports Jacob deGrom was often left on his own by the Mets. Now he stands alone as the clear pick to win the N.L. Cy Young Award. Who else should join baseball’s honor roll?https://nyti.ms/2N6C36M

David Wright Steps Up to Plate as the Mets Fall to the Marlins

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Wright, 35, who had been sidelined by neck, back and shoulder injuries since May 27, 2016, came up as a pinch-hitter leading off the fifth inning and received a warm ovation.https://nyti.ms/2IpwuQ2

Yankees Clinch Home-Field Advantage for the Wild-Card Playoff Game

By DAVID WALDSTEIN from NYT Sports With a win over the Red Sox, the Yankees guaranteed that they would host the Oakland A’s in a single-elimination showdown on Wednesday.https://nyti.ms/2zDkbNi

Mets’ David Wright Has First At-Bat Since 2016

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Wright came up as a pinch-hitter in the fifth inning of Friday’s game against the Marlins and grounded out on the first pitch he saw.https://nyti.ms/2OXoeJq

What Gives This Ryder Cup ‘the Feel of a Football Game’?

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports The giant grandstand at the first tee of Le Golf National created an atmosphere that was intimidating and invigorating on the opening day.https://nyti.ms/2OYgVl0

Mats Zuccarello Is Norway’s Knight

By ALLAN KREDA from NYT Sports He is one of the Rangers’ most popular players, but the cheers he gets at Madison Square Garden can’t compare to those in his home country.https://nyti.ms/2xXq9Xo

Giants’ Michael Thomas Is Thinking About More Than Football

By ZACH SCHONBRUN from NYT Sports He protested during the national anthem. Then he interned on Capitol Hill. He may run for political office. First, though, is the Saints on Sunday.https://nyti.ms/2NLCqJ4

For Tiger Woods, a Frustrating Morning and an Afternoon Off

By KAREN CROUSE from NYT Sports Woods’s recent success on tour didn’t carry over to the Ryder Cup on Friday. After a loss in the morning, he was a spectator in the afternoon.https://nyti.ms/2QhOTky

Suffering Knows No Bounds, Which Is Why Mets Fans Are Everywhere

By JAMES WAGNER from NYT Sports Northern Ireland, the Netherlands, Stockholm, England. The Mets have made inroads across the globe even as they often flounder in the N.L. East.https://nyti.ms/2OUCN0n

To Get to the Boston Marathon, Run Faster, and Faster

By VICTOR MATHER from NYT Sports Are top marathoners of every age getting faster? Judging by how much harder it is getting to qualify for Boston, it sure seems like it.https://nyti.ms/2Oiydw4

U.S. Takes Early 3-1 Lead at Ryder Cup

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports Tiger Woods and Patrick Reed are the only American team to lose.https://nyti.ms/2NNcPj7

Beer: Colleges’ New Way to Fill Seats, Not Couches

By MARC TRACY from NYT Sports After keeping alcohol out of football stadiums for years, more universities are figuring out how best to sell booze to fans — so they don’t stay home.https://nyti.ms/2xKuUEt

Rory McIlroy Is the Golfer Who Juggles. Or Is it Vice Versa?

By KAREN CROUSE from NYT Sports At age 29, McIlroy is trying hard to make his life more than just an extension of the golf course. He seems to be succeeding.https://nyti.ms/2xI8i7x

Jared Goff’s Big Day Just Enough for Rams Win

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports In a meeting of Coach Sean McVay’s current quarterback, and the one he helped make famous, Goff outdueled Kirk Cousins.https://nyti.ms/2zBzdDm

Mets Earn Second Straight Win Against Depleted Braves

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Jason Vargas threw seven shutout innings against the playoff-bound Braves, who rested several starters.https://nyti.ms/2NKFnK7

C.C. Sabathia’s Loyalty to a Teammate Costs Him $500,000

By BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports A retaliatory hit-by-pitch resulted in Sabathia’s ejection, but the veteran left-hander was more concerned about the message he sent than the bonus he lost.https://nyti.ms/2N6PVOq

Vote to Reinstate Russia Exposes Rifts in Antidoping Community

By TARIQ PANJA and JULIET MACUR from NYT Sports When World Anti-Doping Agency voted last week to take Russia off the list of noncompliant countries, it expected a backlash, but probably nothing like this.https://nyti.ms/2QdjCze

M.L.B. Playoff Races: David Dahl and the Rockies Stay Hot

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN from NYT Sports The Colorado slugger homered for a fourth consecutive game in a win over Philadelphia. and the Yankees increased their lead over Oakland.https://nyti.ms/2Od5J6T

Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson Look to Conquer Their Joint Jinx

By KAREN CROUSE from NYT Sports For all their experience in the Ryder Cup, neither has sampled victory in the tournament when it is held in Europe. Now comes another chance, starting Friday.https://nyti.ms/2xH2dbu

Many Changes in the Ryder Cup Over 25 Years, and the Americans Seek One More

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports Not since 1993 has the United States beaten the European team on its home soil.https://nyti.ms/2Of1jMM

N.F.L. Week 4 Picks: Can Miami Shock New England Once Again?

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN from NYT Sports The Dolphins are underdogs despite an undefeated start, Baker Mayfield tries to get the Browns on a winning streak, and Khalil Mack tries to end FitzMagic. https://nyti.ms/2zAG3IZ

As Davis Cup Changes Format, U.S. Will Seek New Captain

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Jim Courier is stepping down after eight years as the U.S. Davis Cup captain, less than two weeks after the Americans lost to Croatia, 3-2, in the semifinals.https://nyti.ms/2Nbe5HG

Eric Reid, Who Knelt With Colin Kaepernick, Signs With Carolina Panthers

By BENJAMIN HOFFMAN from NYT Sports Reid, who was unsigned after a successful stint with the 49ers, also joined Kaepernick in a collusion lawsuit against the N.F.L.https://nyti.ms/2xINCfH

A Football Player’s Descent Into Pain and Paranoia

By Unknown Author from NYT Sports Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, who played four seasons in the N.F.L., was found dead at age 30 and later diagnosed with C.T.E. He left behind a paper trail of his struggles dealing with the injuries caused by playing the game he loved.https://nyti.ms/2xHUz0h

A Football Player’s Descent Into Pain and Paranoia

By KEN BELSON from NYT Sports Daniel Te’o-Nesheim, who played four seasons in the N.F.L., was found dead at age 30 and later diagnosed with C.T.E. He left behind a paper trail of his struggles dealing with the injuries caused by playing the game he loved.https://nyti.ms/2OShLzu

HBO Says It Is Leaving the Boxing Business

By WALLACE MATTHEWS from NYT Sports A fixture in the sport for decades, HBO has concluded that its audience no longer subscribes for big-time fights.https://nyti.ms/2OfLTYy

Germany Will Host 2024 European Championship

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS from NYT Sports Germany was picked as the host of the 2024 European soccer championship on Thursday, beating Turkey in a vote by officials from UEFA.https://nyti.ms/2xKfhww

No Longer Anonymous, Former N.F.L. Cheerleaders Demand More to Protect Women

By JULIET MACUR from NYT Sports Rebecca Cummings and Allison Cassidy were among five former Washington Redskins cheerleaders whose accounts of harassment on the job led to change. But, they say, not enough.https://nyti.ms/2Qd9eaG