Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jun 2, 2011

Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Things (including this tennis ball) aligned perfectly for Rafael Nadal during his seventh consecutive title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tournament.

U.S. surfer Kelly Slater catches some serious air during the Rip Curl Pro event in Bells Beach, Australia.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus (bottom) slides safely in to second beneath a leaping Brandon Phillips. Phillips and the Reds would prevail over the Cardinals 5-3 on April 23.

Carl Edwards celebrates with his trademark backflip after winning the Nashville 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on April 23.

A bandaged Eden Hazard (left) of Lille stays focused as he weaves through traffic during Lille's 1-1 draw at Lorient on April 24.

Lecce midfielder Ruben Olivera (left) collides with Genoa midfielder Rafinha during Genoa's 4-2 victory over Lecce on April 23. The loss knocked Lecce into the relegation zone.

Squarely in the spotlight, Germany's Julia Gorges celebrates winning the Stuttgart Grand Prix by rolling the clay.

Orland Magic forward Hedo Turkoglu goes up or a layup during the Magic's 88-85 loss to the Atlanta Hawks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Turkoglu shot only 2-of-12 from the field.

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade slices his way through the Philadelphia 76ers' defense during the Heat's 86-82 defeat in Philadelphia in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

A swarming Indiana Pacers defense was instrumental in the team's 89-84 victory over the Chicago Bulls in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. Despite the victory, the Pacers still trail in the series 3-1.

Oklahoma City Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook reminds the Denver Nuggets where they are playing with a thunderous dunk during the Thunder's 107-103 victory over the Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals in Oklahoma City.

Tony Parker's ability to drive and dish propelled the San Antonio Spurs to a 93-87 win over the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 2 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire (center) posted four points and five rebounds in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals before leaving at halftime with back spasms. The Knicks would go on to lose the game to the Boston Celtics 96-93.

Led by Kobe Bryant (left), the Los Angeles Lakers got defensive in Game 3 of their Western Conference quarterfinals match against the New Orleans Hornets. Bryant recorded one block and three steals, and the Lakers prevailed 100-86 at the New Orleans Arena.

Los Angeles Kings rightwinger Justin Williams (not pictured) was credited with this goal at 16:04 when his cross-ice pass for Ryan Smyth (right) deflected into the net off the stick of San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic in Game 4 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

With Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas lured out of the net, rightwinger Michael Ryder stepped in and denied a would-be goal from Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Bruins would go on to beat the Canadiens 2-1 in double overtime.

Tampa Bay Lightning leftwinger Sean Bergenheim is defended by a pair of hidden Pittsburgh Penguins (Kris Letang and Alex Kovalev) during the Lightning's 8-2 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

The Vancouver Canucks led 3-2 in the third quarter of Game 6 of the Western Conference quarterfinals before Canucks defenseman Dan Hamhuis (bottom) tripped Chicago Blackhawks center Michael Frolik (center). Frolik promptly converted the penalty shot, and the Blackhawks went on to win in overtime to force a Game 7.

Given the impact of Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jerry Sands' (right) slide, it's not surprising Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto (left) bobbled this throw home on April 23. Sands was safe, but the Cubs went on to defeat the Dodgers 10-8.

Rider Laurence Hunt braces for impact while riding her horse Phoebus in the cross country stage of the Badminton Horse Trials on April 24.

As the only team in the team free combination event at the Synchronized Swimming China Open, Team China scored 96 points to take home the title. They also took home gold in the following events: technical routine team, free routine team, technical routine solo, free routine duet and the technical routine duet.

Sydney Roosters player Nate Myles (center) is sandwiched on all sides by members of the St George Illawarra Dragons' defense during a seventh round National Rugby League match on April 25.

opxr-23857-mid%282%29.jpg — Jed Jacobsohn/SI

Look ma, no hands! Atlanta Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez slips by San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey for the third run in the Braves' 5-2 victory over the Giants on April 23.