Cal Survived Covid. Now, Back to Its Usual Problems.

By BY JOHN BRANCH AND JIM WILSON from NYT Sports The school conducted tens of thousands of coronavirus tests, aborted the football season and lost $10 million. Is that light at the end of the tunnel another train?https://nyti.ms/3uzUZRH

Two Players Out of N.B.A. All-Star Game Because of Virus Protocols

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports Players were again questioning the decision to stage an exhibition amid the pandemic after Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons of the Philadelphia 76ers were ruled out of Sunday’s game in Atlanta.https://nyti.ms/2OtCcYq

Ovechkin and Three Other Capitals Out After Health and Safety Violation

By BY ANDREW KNOLL from NYT Sports The Capitals’ incident was the latest instance of the virus affecting the N.H.L. season, as Carolina has had three games postponed and Dallas has yet to play.https://nyti.ms/2MctSei

A New Outbreak Leaves a Broncos Rookie in an Awkward Position: Quarterback

By BY BEN SHPIGEL from NYT Sports Receiver Kendall Hinton was a last resort fill-in when four Denver Broncos quarterbacks were ruled ineligible to play in Sunday’s game because they’d been exposed to the coronavirus.https://nyti.ms/2VdHSFW

Trading Blame and Worry, Notre Dame Grapples With Celebration’s Fallout

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports The university’s president said students storming the field after an overtime win was “very disappointing.” But his credibility on campus is wearing thin.https://nyti.ms/35gwpeJ

The N.B.A. Season’s Hollywood Ending Still Leaves Questions

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports There’s a champion (Lakers) and a tally of players with the coronavirus (zero). But as for a date (?), location (??) and salary cap (???) for next season, no one is sure.https://nyti.ms/2H1NajP

For the N.H.L. Bubble to Succeed, Everyone Had to Be Flexible

By BY CAROL SCHRAM from NYT Sports Broadcasters did interviews from high above the ice instead of rinkside. A popular cafe in Edmonton tailored its menu to athletes. And most players have gone weeks without seeing their families.https://nyti.ms/2RZBGQq

Basketball Persists in Mexico Amid the Pandemic

By BY NATHANIEL JANOWITZ from NYT Sports The Astros de Jalisco are competing in Mexico’s top professional basketball league during the pandemic. But several teams have decided it’s not worth playing.https://nyti.ms/305XLRB

A College Football Conference Can Choose Players Over Profits for a Change

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports The Big Ten’s reversal on playing college football this fall puts young players at risk for our entertainment. The Pac-12 should resist pressure and continue to stand down.https://nyti.ms/3mt6KGb

When You Love — and Loathe — Watching the N.F.L.

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports The return of professional football to a nation living on a raw and perilous edge, struggling to confront a lethal virus and trying to heal its deep racial wounds, offered fans a tense and unlikely paradox.https://nyti.ms/2H1RMa1

U.S. Open Match Delayed as Health Officials Debate Virus Rules

By BY CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports Alexander Zverev and Adrian Mannarino waited more than two hours to play their match as officials debated whether Mannarino should play given his contact with another player who tested positive for coronavirus.https://nyti.ms/3lSii5p

Two Mets Games Are Postponed Because of Coronavirus Cases

By BY TYLER KEPNER from NYT Sports Two positive tests for the virus within the organization led to the postponements of Thursday’s game in Miami and Friday’s game against the Yankees at Citi Field.https://nyti.ms/32aLxr9

They’re Teens Biking Across a Turbulent Country. The Lessons Keep Coming.

By BY ANDREW KEH from NYT Sports The romance of the open road is well established: meeting strangers, self-enlightenment, getting lost and breaking down. Would these ideals hold up in the cruel summer of 2020?https://nyti.ms/2E73oH4

N.F.L.’s Push Ahead With Season Rankles Workers in the Home Office

By BY KATE KELLY AND KEN BELSON from NYT Sports Workers who have been ordered back to the league’s headquarters are resisting, arguing that the reopening was rushed and that in some ways they have been put in an “impossible situation.”https://nyti.ms/2DEpWyJ

The Milwaukee Bucks Are Ready for a Long Stay in the Bubble

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports In this week's newsletter, Marc Stein discusses the unusual way the Bucks have prepared for a run to the finals — and why the Los Angeles Clippers may meet them there.https://nyti.ms/2C1BWdh

SEC Becomes Latest College Football League to Shrink Schedule

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports The Southeastern Conference, the most influential league in college football, said it would delay the start of its season and have its teams play only within the conference.https://nyti.ms/3gkb9HW

N.B.A. Restart Day 1 Schedule: Guide of Matchups, Tipoff Time and Channel

By BY SCOTT CACCIOLA from NYT Sports Some of the league’s biggest stars — LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and maybe Zion Williamson — will be in action for the opening night of the resumed season.https://nyti.ms/2Dk49Mq

8 Factors in the N.B.A.’s Return That May Upend Expectations

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports In this week’s newsletter, Marc Stein discusses a threat to the Lakers’ championship hopes, Lou Williams and the latest in his quest for the perfect cup of coffee.https://nyti.ms/3hOE8UO

The N.B.A. Bubble Is in the Magic’s Backyard. But They’re Not Quite at Home.

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports With their homes, family and friends minutes away, Orlando players feel conflicted as they resume their season in quarantine at Walt Disney World.https://nyti.ms/3h59PbZ

Reality Seeps In: Basketball Is Starting, and the Virus Is Still Here

By BY MARC STEIN from NYT Sports “It sounded good a month or two ago,” said the Raptors’ Fred VanVleet of the N.B.A.’s restart plan. “Not so much right before we got ready to leave.”https://nyti.ms/3gi9vpP