Kobe Bryant’s ‘Mamba Army’ Fans Were as Relentless as He Was

By BY SOPAN DEB from NYT Sports Bryant’s fans channeled his tenacious persona to defend him against criticisms, big and small, and to proclaim his superiority over all other superstars.https://nyti.ms/36G5TIW

Test Your Super Bowl Knowledge

By BY BEN SHPIGEL from NYT Sports Test your N.F.L. knowledge before the Kansas City Chiefs face the San Francisco 49ers for Super Bowl LIV.https://nyti.ms/37E2ICT

Astros Agree to Hire Dusty Baker as Manager

By BY JAMES WAGNER from NYT Sports Baker, one of the most experienced managers in baseball, is Houston’s choice to help guide the club after an illegal sign-stealing scheme tarnished the team’s reputation.https://nyti.ms/36BPZzi

Central Michigan’s Left Tackle Factory (Some Assembly Required)

By BY BENJAMIN HOFFMAN from NYT Sports San Francisco’s Joe Staley was a track star and a tight end. Kansas City’s Eric Fisher was as skinny as a wide receiver. A small program built them into blind-side monsters.https://nyti.ms/2GBiUsE

Dominic Thiem Beats Rafael Nadal in Australian Open Quarterfinal

By BY CHRISTOPHER CLAREY from NYT Sports Thiem won in a thrilling four sets and will face Alexander Zverev in one semifinal. Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are in the other.https://nyti.ms/37GAqaY

Live Updates on Death of Kobe Bryant: Helicopter Lacked Key Warning System

By BY CHRIS HAMBY AND NICHOLAS BOGEL-BURROUGHS from NYT Sports The aircraft wasn’t equipped with the voluntary terrain avoidance warning system that regulators have long recommended. But it was unclear whether it could have prevented the crash.https://nyti.ms/3b1EeWu

Australian Open 2020: Matches to Watch on Wednesday Night (Into Thursday)

By BY MAX GENDLER from NYT Sports Both women’s semifinals will be played, and Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will play for the 50th time, in the early hours of the morning for fans in the United States.https://nyti.ms/2GyiMdA