Lakers Search for Answers, With and Without LeBron James

By BY SCOTT CACCIOLA AND TANIA GANGULI from NYT Sports James could miss multiple games because of coronavirus protocols, but the Lakers have struggled even when he has played.https://nyti.ms/3pBmtp9

Even With Fewer Stars in Beal’s Orbit, the Wizards Find Their Way

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports A roster overhaul prioritized depth over big names to surround Bradley Beal in Washington. The new guys — with chips on their shoulders — have come through.https://nyti.ms/3DRkov4

In Aaron Rodgers’s Return, Packers’ Championship Priorities Are Clear

By BY BEN SHPIGEL from NYT Sports Rodgers’s return from coronavirus isolation reinforced an N.F.L. axiom: The better the player, the more an organization is willing to endure.https://nyti.ms/3Fjp9xw

Aaron Rodgers is set to play on Sunday after his Covid-19 isolation.

By BY BEN SHPIGEL from NYT Sports Rodgers faced a mandatory 10-day isolation period after testing positive for the coronavirus. The quarterback has not been vaccinated and has shared baseless claims about vaccines.https://nyti.ms/3DvRCjz

What Aaron Rodgers Should See: Covid Suffering in a Wisconsin E.R.

By BY KURT STREETER from NYT Sports An emergency room doctor laments the Green Bay Packers quarterback’s missed opportunity to promote vaccines instead of dispute them.https://nyti.ms/3kxyYjF

N.F.L. Fines Aaron Rodgers and Packers for Violating Covid-19 Protocols

By BY KEN BELSON from NYT Sports Rodgers, the Green Bay Packers quarterback who is not vaccinated and has voiced unfounded claims about Covid-19 vaccines, was penalized for not wearing a mask in some places.https://nyti.ms/31H3YXP

Saturday’s Cal-U.S.C. game has been delayed by Covid.

By BY EVAN EASTERLING from NYT Sports The matchup is the first game of the season at college football’s top level to be rescheduled because of the virus.https://nyti.ms/3F3iQhw

Novak Djokovic Gets His Groove Back in Paris

By BY CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports He bolstered his claim to being the best men’s player of this era by securing the year-end No. 1 ranking for a record seventh year.https://nyti.ms/3ER2kB6

Aaron Rodgers Lashes Out About N.F.L.’s Vaccine Requirements

By BY EMMANUEL MORGAN from NYT Sports In an interview given by the quarterback as he isolated because of a positive coronavirus test, he said that he was a victim of a “woke mob” and that he had unsuccessfully petitioned the N.F.L. to accept his alternative to being vaccinated.https://nyti.ms/3kaXsPx

The N.H.L. suspends Evander Kane for violating its Covid protocol.

By BY DERRICK BRYSON TAYLOR AND GWEN KNAPP from NYT Sports The San Jose Sharks forward, who was reported to be under investigation for using a fake Covid-19 vaccination card, said he had “made a mistake.”https://nyti.ms/2Z2XCBk

Washington State Fires Football Coach Over Vaccine Refusal

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports Nick Rolovich said in July he would not get a Covid-19 vaccine and maintained his stance once a state mandate was announced in August. Four of his assistants were also fired.https://nyti.ms/3AUMALl

Washington State Fires Football Coach Over Vaccine Refusal

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports Nick Rolovich said in July he would not get a Covid-19 vaccine and maintained his stance once a state mandate was announced in August. Four of his assistants were also fired.https://nyti.ms/3vqOpyn

Washington State fires its football coach over his refusal to be vaccinated.

By BY BILLY WITZ from NYT Sports Nick Rolovich and four of his assistants lost their jobs because they would not comply with the state’s mandate.https://nyti.ms/3mZrOVC

Players on N.H.L.’s newest team are sidelined by Covid protocols before debut.

By BY VIMAL PATEL from NYT Sports The Seattle Kraken was set to play its first-ever regular-season National Hockey League game on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Nightshttps://https://nyti.ms/3BE7KOH

Nets Bar Kyrie Irving From All Practices and Games

By BY SCOTT CACCIOLA from NYT Sports Irving already was facing the prospect of missing all home games because of a city ordinance requiring at least one vaccine dose for most people at sports arenas.https://nyti.ms/2YHmy0o

Five members of the N.H.L.’s newest team are sidelined by Covid protocols on the eve of the team’s debut.

By BY VIMAL PATEL from NYT Sports The Seattle Kraken was set to play its first-ever regular-season National Hockey League game on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Nightshttps://https://nyti.ms/3AEeQ4M

Warriors coach says Andrew Wiggins has gotten a Covid shot.

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports Wiggins will be able to play in home games in San Francisco, since city ordinances require individuals to be fully vaccinated to enter facilities such as indoor gyms.https://nyti.ms/3A7Tb4k

Warriors coach says Andrew Wiggins has gotten a Covid shot.

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports Wiggins will be able to play in home games in San Francisco, since city ordinances require individuals to be fully vaccinated to enter facilities such as indoor gyms.https://nyti.ms/3B80MBs

England’s Premier League offers to ‘reward’ soccer teams that increase vaccine compliance.

By BY TARIQ PANJA from NYT Sports The league said it was concerned about the large number of unvaccinated players on its teams’ rosters.https://nyti.ms/3iiT5RC

Most N.B.A. Players Are Vaccinated, but Skeptics Speak Out

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports More than 90 percent of players have received at least one dose of the vaccine, but some, like Nets guard Kyrie Irving, won’t say if they have been or plan to be vaccinated.https://nyti.ms/2Y45Poc