Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Leading Off: Pictures of the Week

Greg Nelson/SI

Jeremy Evans dunks over Dallas Mavericks guard Dahntay Jones during the 2013 NBA Dunk Contest on Feb. 16. Evans made the finals of the dunk contest but lost to Toronto Raptors rookie Terrence Ross in the fan vote 58 percent to 42 percent.

Matthias Schrader/AP

In a long time exposed photo taken through a safety fence, a skier races during the first run of the men's giant slalom at the alpine skiing world championships in Schladming, Austria. Ted Ligety won the event, becoming the first to win three individual gold medals at the world championships since Jean-Claude Killy in 1968.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Justin Boston and Drew Charlson collide during the ARCA Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16. The 55th annual Daytona 500 runs Feb. 24.

Scott Audette/NHLI via Getty Images

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks an attempt from the Tampa Bay Lightning's Victor Hedman during the third period of the Feb. 12 game. Price saved all three shots from the Lightning in a shootout to help the Canadiens get the victory.

Julio Cortez/AP

New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis takes batting practice during spring training in Port St. Lucie, Fla. On Feb. 16. Spring training games begin Feb. 22.

Christian Palma/AP

Pumas' Luis Fuentes leaps over Morelia's Aldo Leao to head the ball in a Mexican soccer league match in Mexico City on Feb. 17. Efrain Velarde scored the lone goal of the game for Pumas in the 65th minute.

John W. McDonough/SI

Kobe Bryant throws down a dunk in the second half of the Lakers' matchup with the Clippers on Feb. 14. Despite 20 points and 11 assists from Bryant, the Lakers fell to their Los Angeles rivals 125-101.

Stephen A. Arce/ASP Inc/Icon SMI

Danica Patrick stands with her crew after winning the pole for the Daytona 500. Patrick became the first woman to win a pole in a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event, turning in the fastest lap at 196.434 mph.

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Notre Dame takes on Miami (Ohio) at Soldier Field in Chicago for the Hockey City Classic on Feb. 17. The Hockey City Classic, which also included a matchup between Wisconsin and Minnesota, marked the first hockey games at Soldier Field in the stadium's 89-year history.

Bill Wippert/NHLI via Getty Images

Buffalo Sabres center Cody McCormick fights Pittsburgh Penguins left winger Tanner Glass in the third period of a Feb. 17 NHL game. The Penguins defeated the Sabres 4-3 behind two goals from Pascal Dupuis.

Nick Laham/Getty Images

Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin, Martin Truex Jr., Joey Logano and Jimmie Johnson all wreck during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Sprint Unlimited at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 16. Kevin Harvick claimed the checkered flag at the tune-up event for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 24.

Kamran Jebreili/AP

Marion Bartoli returns a ball against Klara Zakopalova during the first day of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on Feb. 18. Bartoli rebounded from dropping the first set to win the match 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Sue Ogrocki/AP

Oklahoma State guard Markel Brown celebrates with fans after the Cowboys' 84-79 victory over Oklahoma on Feb. 16. Oklahoma State rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half to defeat the rival Sooners, led by a combined 54 points from Marcus Smart and Le'Bryan Nash.

Dave Tulis/AP

Georgia's Shayla Worley performs her floor routine during an NCAA gymnastics meet against Florida on Feb. 16. In a tightly contested battle between the No. 1 Gators and the No. 9 Bulldogs, Florida prevailed 197.30-196.175 in front of a sold-out crowd in Athens, Ga.

Lance King/Getty Images

Notre Dame's Matt Miller checks Duke's Jordan Wolf during a snowy battle between the two lacrosse teams in Durham, N.C. The Fighting Irish scored the first six goals of the game to cruise to a 13-5 season-opening victory.

Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images

Petra Vlhova falls while competing in the first run of the women's slalom at the alpine skiing world championships on Feb. 16 in Schladming, Austria. Vlhova did not complete the run. Mikaela Shiffrin won the event with a time of 1:39.85 for her two runs.