Kyrie Irving accepts the Brooklyn Nets "look very average" but insisted the rest of the NBA will be on notice when the team finally starts to click.
The Nets have assembled a star-studded cast with James Harden arriving last month to form an exciting 'Big 3' alongside Irving and Kevin Durant.
But since Harden's heralded arrival, the Nets have gone 7-6. Tuesday's disappointing 122-111 loss to the Detroit Pistons was their third in a row and they have a 14-12 record for the season, comfortably behind Eastern Conference rivals the Philadelphia 76ers (18-7) and the Milwaukee Bucks (16-8).
Defense has been a particular concern for the inconsistent Nets, a fact highlighted by the Pistons shooting 56 per cent from the field and 44.8 per cent from the beyond the arc.
Irving knows the Nets, who were without Durant against the Pistons, are not living up to expectations but remains confident they will get it right as the season progresses.
"I don't think that we go out every single day and sacrifice the time to be average at anything," Irving told reporters.
"We look very average, we have the talent that the eye test presents that we should be dominating. We have the experience in terms of some of our guys have been some through certain things, circumstances to be able to battle through.
"We're the team that is literally battling against so many odds that at this point it's not even a reason to continue to comment on. They are what they are.
"As a warrior that I am and the energy I have alongside my team-mates, we just have to turn that corner. We haven't done it yet but we will and I'm telling you the league is going to be on notice when that happens. We just have to take it by day by day."
The Nets have lost four of their past five outings, with three of those setbacks coming against teams who have losing records.
Irving acknowledges the Nets need to address the perception the team is not playing hard enough.
"I don't accept that, and I don't think our team accepts it as a whole, obviously we don't want that to be what teams think of us," he added.
"We're seeing it day in, day out where guys and teams are coming out and punching us in the mouth early and we're playing catch up.
"It happens to be against the guys with the least good records. We gotta call it for what it is, we gotta fix that. It takes maturity, accountability and a realisation of what we need to do moving forward."
Irving missed the previous loss to the Philadelphia 76ers due to an injury to his right index finger – an issue that is still troubling him.
"It sucks man," he said. "It's uncomfortable but at the same time I don't want to make excuses.
"I'm out there, I do a lot of treatment on it, we're down a few players obviously as well. You just want to go out there and compete and worry about the pain later. I'm doing the best I can."
Stephen Curry dazzled once again as he scored 32 points for the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, leading Steve Kerr to declare: "I don't think I've ever seen him look better".
Having missed the majority of the previous season due to injury, Curry has been outstanding upon his return. The guard is averaging 29.6 points per game despite playing restricted minutes following his long lay-off.
The San Antonio Spurs were the latest team unable to stop the two-time NBA MVP, who produced one particularly memorable play in the first quarter of his team's 114-91 triumph on the road.
Curry was fouled on a drive but, with his back to the basket, managed to flip the ball on target at the last moment, having appeared set at one moment to throw a pass out to a waiting team-mate.
For Golden State coach Kerr, it was another example of how the 32-year-old makes the seemingly impossible look easy.
"I think that's part of Steph's brilliance is that he just constantly amazes you to the point where you almost take it for granted," Kerr said after the win over the Spurs.
"I do think, and maybe it's circumstantial given the injuries and the fact that he's playing with a different group of guys, that this is the best I've ever seen him just from a confidence and a strength standpoint.
"That's saying something, obviously - a two-time MVP. I don't think I've ever seen him look better."
Draymond Green compared Curry's miracle shot to one produced by the great Michael Jordan, though the scorer himself insisted it was simply a case of reacting to the situation, having realised he had drawn the foul.
"It was a fun one," Curry said after the game. "I don't know the ranking, but it was up there, for sure.
"I had to improvise. I don't really even know how to explain it: I just had a good flow once I got the contact and heard the whistle. Just get it up on the glass however you can. All the wild and acrobatic shots you practice or tried, the instincts take over, so that was pretty cool."
Curry's performance - he went 11-for-20 shooting from the floor - helped put an end to the Spurs' three-game winning streak, while the Warriors improve to 13-12 on the season.
The result also saw Kerr reach a significant landmark in his coaching career, with this his 350th win.
"I worked my butt off over the offseason," Curry said. "I'm just happy to be playing. I feel strong. I feel in rhythm, in ultimate control of my game. Shots are falling.
"It all comes not only with my own confidence, but growing confidence in my team."
Defending champion Novak Djokovic survived a stern test after prevailing 6-3 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-2) 6-3 against Frances Tiafoe en route to the Australian Open third round.
Tiafoe threatened an upset in warm and sunny conditions at Melbourne Park, where world number one Djokovic was pushed to the limit on Wednesday.
But Djokovic dug deep to prevail in a hard-fought battle, keeping his bid alive for a record-extending ninth Australian Open crown and an 18th grand slam title.
Djokovic had only ever lost in the second round of the Australian Open on one previous occasion - in 2017, when he was upstaged by wildcard Denis Istomin in his earliest Melbourne Park exit since the opening round in 2006.
But Djokovic controlled proceedings initially, despite a blip in the first set against Tiafoe, who enjoyed his best run in Melbourne after reaching the Australian Open quarter-finals two years ago.
After racing out to a 4-1 lead, Djokovic was broken to love in the seventh game as Tiafoe reeled off back-to-back games, only to break back immediately - letting out a thunderous roar before closing out the first set in just over half-an-hour.
Not overawed, Tiafoe refused to go away, rallying from love-40 down and saving three break points in a marathon third game lasting almost eight minutes.
It set the tone for a tense second set as Tiafoe - who saw his winner count rise from five in the opening set to 17 - won a tie-breaker.
Djokovic owned a 15-4 record when splitting the opening two sets at the Australian Open, and 68-16 across majors, and he managed to claim an early break that he consolidated for a 3-0 lead to start the third set.
Tiafoe saved two set points when down 5-4 and he continued to frustrate Djokovic en route to another tie-break, but the latter prevailed, albeit unconvincingly.
The fourth set followed a similar theme until Tiafoe came unstuck at 4-3, Djokovic performing when it mattered most as he secured his passage on the back of a double-fault.
Data Slam: Djokovic dazzles from the service line
The Serbian star was always going to be hard to beat behind a strong serving display. Djokovic fired down 26 aces and won 84 per cent of his first serves, having served sat 62 per cent through the contest.
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Djokovic – 56/37
Tiafoe – 49/43
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Djokovic – 26/5
Tiafoe – 23/8
BREAK POINTS WON
Djokovic – 5/14
Tiafoe – 2/3
Former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka exited in the second round after a marathon loss to Marton Fucsovics.
Wawrinka, the 2014 champion, bowed out after a 7-5 6-1 4-6 2-6 7-6 (11-9) loss to Fucsovics on a warm Wednesday in Melbourne.
Fucsovics saved three match points on John Cain Arena in an encounter that lasted three hours, 59 minutes.
Wawrinka led 6-1 and 8-4 in the super tie-break, but Fucsovics won the final five points and seven of the last eight.
The Hungarian continues to enjoy the year's first grand slam, where he has reached the fourth round twice in the past three years.
Wawrinka, though, has struggled in Australia in recent years.
The Swiss star has now been eliminated in the second round in three of the past four years, while reaching the quarter-finals in 2020.
Wawrinka rallied from two sets to love down and 5-3 behind in the fifth, but wasted his chances in the super tie-break.
Serena Williams is embracing the absence of line judges at this year's Australian Open as the record-chasing American superstar dubbed herself a "futurist, like Iron Man" after reaching the third round.
The Australian Open is taking place without linespeople as a response to coronavirus restrictions at Melbourne Park, where "Hawk-Eye Live" technology is being used on every court.
It is the first grand slam to replace all line judges with technology as the tournament seeks to limit the number of people on court amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
After easing past Nina Stojanovic 6-3 6-0 on Wednesday, 23-time grand slam champion and seven-time Australian Open winner Williams welcomed the use of technology.
"I like it," Williams, who is looking to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 slams, told reporters when asked about the technology post-match. "I didn't like it in Cincinnati because they had that in Cincinnati and I was, it was different. It was weird.
"I like it now because it takes away a lot of the human error, which clearly I definitely don't need. I should be the biggest fan of that.
"But I feel like sometimes I definitely still want to see that ball, but I'm like, okay, even if I see it, the computer's going to show me what the computer just said. So that's kind of how I think about it.
"I'm a futurist, like Iron Man, so I definitely love technology and it's something that I invest in and so, yeah, I really think is right up my alley."
Williams owns a 359-51 grand slam record in her illustrious career – the only other player to pass 300 victories in the Open Era is Martina Navratilova (306-49).
The 39-year-old Williams is bidding to win her 11th major crown since turning 30.
Only Court (three), Navratilova (three), Chris Evert (two), Billie Jean King (two), Ann Jones (one), Angelique Kerber (one), Li Na (one), Flavia Pennetta (one) and Virginia Wade (one) have won grand slam silverware in their 30s.
Petra Kvitova made a surprise second-round exit at the Australian Open on Wednesday.
The Czech ninth seed and two-time Wimbledon champion fell to Sorana Cirstea 6-4 1-6 6-1 on a warm day at Melbourne Park.
Runner-up in 2019 and a quarter-finalist last year, Kvitova bowed out after a costly 44 unforced errors in two hours, three minutes.
Cirstea, meanwhile, reached the third round of the Australian Open for just the fourth time.
It marked the Romanian's first win over a top-10 player since 2017, when she beat Karolina Pliskova in Beijing.
Cirstea will face another Czech, 19th seed Marketa Vondrousova, in the third round.
Kvitova is among 10 seeds to have departed in the women's draw, joining Victoria Azarenka, Angelique Kerber, Bianca Andreescu, Petra Martic, Johanna Konta, Maria Sakkari, Wang Qiang, Zhang Shuai and Alison Riske.
Serena Williams booked her spot in the Australian Open third round with a straight-sets win over Nina Stojanovic on Wednesday.
Williams again looked in fine form on her way to a 6-3 6-0 victory over Stojanovic in warm conditions on Rod Laver Arena.
The American star is bidding to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam singles titles and is on track after her win in one hour, nine minutes.
As her serve gradually improved, Williams – who is dealing with a right shoulder injury – was in control for the most part to set up a third-round clash against Anastasia Potapova.
Stojanovic held her own early, but Williams broke for 3-1, a powerful forehand setting up break point before a backhand error from the Serbian.
Williams was struggling with her first serve – she had a first-serve percentage of just 52 in the first set – but dug herself out of a 15-40 hole to hold for 5-2 on her way to taking the opening set.
A break to begin the second set followed as Stojanovic powered a forehand down the line wide, and three consecutive backhand errors saw her cough up another break to fall 3-0 behind.
Williams took complete control from then on, finishing the second set without an unforced error and losing just nine points to quickly wrap up victory.
Data Slam: Williams' second-round dominance continues
Williams improved her record in the second round of majors to 73-2. It also stands at 19-1 at the Australian Open, where she last failed to reach the third round on her debut main-draw appearance in 1998.
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Williams – 27/11
Stojanovic – 15/18
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Williams – 6/1
Stojanovic – 1/4
BREAK POINTS WON
Williams – 4/9
Stojanovic – 0/3
The Los Angeles Clippers will be without Paul George for their upcoming two-game road trip due to injury.
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue confirmed George's absence for games against the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bills as the NBA All-Star deals with a swollen right toe.
George has been sidelined for the Clippers' past two games.
"Staying back home and getting some treatment," Lue said of George on Tuesday. "And we'll re-evaluate when we get back."
The Clippers face the Timberwolves on Wednesday before visiting the Bulls on Friday.
George is averaging 24.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game for the Clippers this season.
The Clippers (17-8) are third in the Western Conference, behind leaders the Utah Jazz (19-5) and defending champions the Los Angeles Lakers (19-6), following back-to-back losses.
Peter O'Mahony has been banned for the next three rounds of Six Nations games following his red card in Ireland's opening defeat to Wales.
O'Mahony was dismissed in the 14th minute of Ireland's 21-16 loss in Cardiff after leading with his elbow to the head of Tomas Francis while attempting a clearout.
The flanker can now not feature for Ireland again until their final match of the tournament, which sees them host England on March 20.
O'Mahony admitted to dangerous play in the ruck and that his actions merited a red card during a disciplinary hearing.
The disciplinary committee deemed the entry point for his offence to be a six-week ban, but halved that suspension after taking into account O'Mahony's record and conduct in the hearing.
In a statement, Six Nations organisers said: "The committee considered all the relevant evidence, including the player's oral evidence, together with the clips of the incident.
"In assessing the seriousness of the offending, the committee found that the offending was reckless."
Ireland will attempt to bounce back on Sunday when they welcome France to Dublin.
Props Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola have returned to the England squad for the Six Nations encounter with Italy at Twickenham on Saturday.
British and Irish Lions duo Sinckler and Vunipola missed the 11-6 Calcutta Cup defeat to Scotland on the opening day of the tournament due to suspension and an Achilles injury respectively.
They will be available to beef up the defending champions' pack against an Azzurri side smarting from a 50-10 hammering at the hands of a rampant France at Stadio Olimpico.
Harry Williams and Tom West will not feature for Eddie Jones' side after they were released to return to their clubs.
The Red Rose never got going in a poor performance versus dominant Scotland, but they won the tournament last year after losing their opening match to France and number eight Billy Vunipola said they can respond again.
He said: "It is frustrating. I won't lie. But this happened last year, and we managed to pull it back so it's massive for all of us to make sure we get around each other and whatever we need to fix this week we do as soon as possible.
"We only have a week to do it, which is probably the best thing for us. We don't have a fallow week to let that settle in and frustrate us.
"You never really forget these days, you never really forget these moments, and to be honest I don't really want to forget them.
"I want to move on from it, but I don't want to forget it as it keeps you sharp. Losing like this at Twickenham is never what you dream of."
Rafael Nadal sailed into the second round of the Australian Open on day two before backing "humble" fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to have a "great career" following his maiden grand slam win.
Nadal cruised to a 6-3 6-4 6-1 victory over Laslo Djere on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday and will face Michael Mmoh in round two.
The Spanish great's compatriot Alcaraz won his first major match at Melbourne Park, seeing off fellow qualifier Botic Van de Zandschulp 6-1 6-4 6-4.
Murcia native Alcaraz has been billed by Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni Nadal, as his nephew's "natural replacement" and the 20-time grand slam champion says the 17-year-old has all the ingredients to have a great career.
The second seed said: "He's very good. He's very young. He has everything to improve in the future with his age.
"He already is where he is, and he has a lot of great things on his game. I really believe that he will have a great future because he's a good guy, humble, hard worker. He has a lot of positive things."
Daniil Medvedev outclassed Vasek Pospisil 6-2 6-2 6-4, while Stefanos Tsitsipas eased past Gilles Simon 6-1 6-2 6-1, but fellow seed David Goffin lost a five-set marathon with Alexei Popyrin.
Nadal happy to 'survive'
Nadal missed the ATP Cup before starting his quest for a record 21st grand slam title at Melbourne Park due to muscle tightness in his back.
He was simply happy to clear the first hurdle on the second day of the tournament.
"I needed to survive today and that's what I did. I just tried to be focused all the time, tried to get through," he said.
"For me personally, [I'm] happy to be through to the second round. I did I think a good job today. Straight sets, that's what I did."
Tennys disgruntled over 'joke' of preparation
American Tennys Sandgren was among over 70 players who were locked down in a hotel for a fortnight before the tournament due to positive COVID-19 test on their flight to Australia.
Sandgren made no secret of his displeasure over the restrictions he was forced to adhere to and let his feelings be known again after the two-time quarter-finalist lost 7-5 6-1 6-1 to Alex de Minaur on John Cain Arena.
He said: "How would you imagine prepping for a hot kind of muggy day, three-out-of-five sets against a player like that, that calibre, when you can't play tennis? You can't go outside? You can't. It's impossible. It's impossible.
"So I played last week's event [the Great Ocean Road Open], which probably wasn't a good idea. It wasn't hot, it was very mild conditions, and I played two hard three-set matches and I've never been more sore in my life after the second round, and I took two days off because I couldn't walk, and then I hit a couple times before today. I mean, it's just kind of a joke of preparation. But yeah. What are you going to do?"
Alcaraz escaping social media hype
Big things are expected of teenager Alcaraz and there was more hype over his potential after an impressive first-round win.
Alcaraz just wants to do his own thing and show why the likes of Rafael and Toni Nadal speak so highly of him.
"So I try to be focus on me, not on the social media, to play my game, play in front of my team, to my team, to me, my family," he said.
"I try to, yeah, to be a part of the social media and don't hear the comparison with Rafa. Yeah, I try to do this."
A "calmer" Garbine Muguruza made a fine start at the Australian Open, while defending champion Sofia Kenin was left annoyed despite her victory.
A finalist at the Yarra Valley Classic last week, Muguruza's good form in Melbourne continued with a rampant 6-4 6-0 victory over Margarita Gasparyan in the first round on Tuesday.
Muguruza was runner-up at Melbourne Park last year, with the two-time grand slam winner looking for her first major success since 2017.
The Spanish star, who will face Ludmilla Samsonova in the second round, said she was reaping the benefits of a changed approach.
"I was for sure working very hard, and frustrated that the results weren't there for quite a few months. Sometimes you work hard, you want it so much, that doesn't help you," Muguruza said.
"It's hard to explain, but I felt like for a moment I was working hard, I was putting all the effort out there. The time that I had to go and compete, I wanted it too much. I was getting frustrated too early. At the end I couldn't let the racquet talk.
"I feel like now, after that experience, I managed to stay a little bit calmer and to just go and compete, probably have less expectations. I'm always, like, there and always so pumped. I'm just knowing myself a little bit better now, finding ways to compete and not let that energy and that desire, too much desire, get in the way probably."
It was a relatively good day for the top women's seeds, with Kenin – who conquered Muguruza in last year's final – winning through.
Ash Barty, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Pliskova and Belinda Bencic also advanced, while Victoria Azarenka's poor recent record in Melbourne continued.
KENIN ANNOYED DESPITE WIN
Kenin started her title defence with a 7-5 6-4 victory over Australian Maddison Inglis.
But while the American fourth seed mixed 23 winners with 27 unforced errors, Kenin said she felt her nerves as she defends a major crown for the first time.
"I was obviously quite annoyed the whole match. I felt like the first two points I started off well, then wasn't able to close out the first game. Obviously nerves happen," she said.
"She obviously played really well. She's a tricky opponent, tricky player. Yeah, it was quite hard on myself today, quite annoyed, as you said."
Kenin's next clash is a tough encounter against Kaia Kanepi, who brushed past Anastasija Sevastova 6-3 6-1.
BARTY, SVITOLINA AND PLISKOVA AMONG WINNERS
Barty made a spectacular start with a 6-0 6-0 thrashing of Danka Kovinic.
The world number one won the first 16 points and ended up losing just 10 for the match in an impressive start.
A two-time quarter-finalist at the Australian Open, Svitolina was tested but overcame Marie Bouzkova 6-3 7-6 (7-5) on Rod Laver Arena.
A huge challenge awaits Svitolina, who will next face Coco Gauff after the 16-year-old American beat Jil Teichmann 6-3 6-2.
Czech sixth seed Pliskova made quick work of Jasmine Paolini, wrapping up a 6-0 6-2 victory in just 47 minutes.
Bencic and Anett Kontaveit were among the other seeded winners.
NO EXCUSES FOR AZARENKA
A two-time Australian Open champion, Azarenka suffered a surprise 7-5 6-4 loss to Jessica Pegula in the first round.
The Belarusian's last win at the event came in 2016, having made first-round exits in 2019 and 2021 and missed the tournament in 2017, 2018 and 2020.
Azarenka was among the players forced to quarantine ahead of the major and while she said it played a part in her exit, she offered no excuses.
"Of course, it has impacted. Somebody who's coming out of hard quarantine and maybe has been able to adjust well, they'll go, 'Oh, maybe it hasn't impacted'. Somebody who lost early will say, 'Yeah, of course, it's impacted'. It would be hard to say," she said.
"Was that the best preparation for me? No. But try to sit here and find an excuse because of quarantine and this is just something that, as I said, it is what it is.
"I am disappointed that I wasn't able to perform that I knew I could. That's a bit hard to accept today because I knew I can play better, a lot better. At the same time I feel that I've tried everything I can to be able to be prepared, but unfortunately that hasn't worked out for me."
Greek 20th seed Maria Sakkari also bowed out after a loss to Kristina Mladenovic, while British 13th seed Johanna Konta retired injured while leading Kaja Juvan 6-4 0-2.
Ash Barty made an impressive start to the Australian Open, thrashing Danka Kovinic in the first round on Tuesday.
Barty, who last year became the first Australian woman to reach the semi-finals of the tournament since Wendy Turnbull in 1984, hammered Kovinic 6-0 6-0 on Rod Laver Arena.
Winner of last week's Yarra Valley Classic, Barty won the first 16 points against Kovinic and never looked back.
The world number one wrapped up victory in just 44 minutes, finishing the contest having lost only 10 points.
Kovinic's unforced errors piled up early – the Montenegrin made 14 in the first set – as 2019 French Open champion Barty quickly took control and the opener.
There was a very brief test for Barty to begin the second set, but the Australian was untroubled as Kovinic had no answers.
Barty will meet either Daria Gavrilova or Sara Sorribes Tormo in the second round.
Data Slam: Barty blitz sets up win
Barty made an incredible start, racing into a 4-0 lead without dropping a point. Her hopes of a golden set were ended when she sent a backhand long, but the start put her in immediate control.
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Barty – 10/5
Kovinic – 3/28
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Barty – 5/0
Kovinic – 2/2
BREAK POINTS WON
Barty – 6/8
Kovinic – 0/0
LaMelo Ball is "fearless" and his shooting is only going to improve after the rookie starred in the Charlotte Hornets' 119-94 triumph over the Houston Rockets, says head coach James Borrego.
The 19-year-old had a game-high 24 points to go alongside 10 assists and a career-high seven three-pointers in Monday's contest.
Consequently, Ball joined Stephen Curry (2010) and Jason Kidd (1995) as the only rookies with seven-plus threes and 10-plus assists in a game and is the youngest to do so.
Borrego initially had concerns over Ball's shooting style, given the way his release point is at his chest not above his shoulders, but those fears were allayed by a trip to watch him at a workout in Los Angeles.
"When we went there, there was just a confidence about him and his shot," Borrego said.
"As I sat there with [Hornets GM] Mitch [Kupchak] I looked over and said 'he's going to be fine'. The kid is confident and believes it is going in. And that is at least half the battle.
"Whether he's at the line or two feet behind the line, it's almost effortless.
"[LaMelo] oozes confidence. He's going to continue that. He's fearless. He's going to continue to shoot it.
"He's got great confidence in [his shot] and he's going to keep getting reps and better shots as he goes. It's a great weapon to have and it sets up a lot of his game with the way he can get to the rim."
Ball himself added on his shooting style: "I stick with it. I say, 'this is how I shoot'.
"I'm confident in it and I feel good letting it go. I came here and they tried to adjust it a little, but I'm like, 'Ah, this is how I shoot'."
LeBron James was inspired by Tom Brady's latest Super Bowl achievement, but the Los Angeles Lakers star has no timetable regarding how much longer he plans to play in the NBA.
At the age of 43, Brady – considered by many as the greatest of all time – won a seventh ring after leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to Super Bowl LV glory against the Kansas City Chiefs.
It means the superstar quarterback now has more rings than any NFL franchise and was particularly impressive given it was his first season with Tampa after a golden era playing for the New England Patriots.
James himself continues to dominate in the twilight years of his NBA career, and recorded a sublime triple-double of 28 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists as the Lakers earned a 119-112 overtime win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday.
Asked about Brady and his own career, James replied: "I mean he's one of the GOATs.
"I've been watching him my whole life, or it seems like my whole life. I've been watching him 20 years now or however long he's been in the NFL.
"I watched him when he was in Michigan, watched him quite a while now, just to see him go out and see the things he's done in his career, for him to win another one in the fashion that he won it was pretty cool.
"It was very inspiring for a guy like myself. But it's two different sports, two different positions. I don't know how long I'll play the game, how much more I'll be able to give to the game.
"But the way I feel right now, we'll see what happens. I have no timetable on it. I don't have no year of 30-this or 40-that. The game will let me know, we'll figure it out then."
The Lakers' win over the Thunder came just two days after the double-overtime triumph over the Detroit Pistons, following which James joked "my heart's not sustainable for two overtimes".
"It needed overtime in order for us to win this game," James added. "We did enough things to close in regulation but they forced us to take another five minutes.
"I'm good with one! I get home a little earlier, my heart don't feel as bad it did the other night."
Rafael Nadal insisted his back was "not perfect" but he is hoping the injury improves after easing through the Australian Open first round.
Playing his first competitive match since last year's ATP Finals, Nadal cruised past Laslo Djere 6-3 6-4 6-1 on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.
As he eyes a record 21st grand slam title, the Spanish star entered the year's first major under an injury cloud.
Despite his comprehensive first-round victory, Nadal, 34, said his back was still troubling him.
"My back is not perfect, as I said a couple of days ago. Every day that I'm able to go through, probably there are more chances to get better. That's the thing now," he told a news conference.
"There is always a chance to improve, and that's why I'm here playing and fighting to try to get better and then give myself a chance. Today it's not great.
"I needed to change a little bit the motion of my serve. That's what I tried to survive that condition today. Tomorrow a day off. After tomorrow, another match. I need to go day to day and just try to stay positive.
"Of course every day that I am trying to stay here longer is a day with a chance to get better finally, so that's what I am trying. Trying to do all the things possible to be ready for compete, for what I came here."
Nadal won 40 of 48 points on first serve against Djere, while he mixed 19 winners with 24 unforced errors.
The world number two is bidding to become the first man in the Open Era to win every grand slam at least twice as he aims to add to his 2009 Australian Open title.
"I was able to win in straight sets. It's always a positive start for me," Nadal said.
"Always difficult after not playing for a while, playing an official match in a while. A good start. Happy.
Nadal will face either Viktor Troicki or Michael Mmoh in the second round.
Rafael Nadal opened his bid for a record 21st grand slam title with a straight-sets win over Laslo Djere at the Australian Open on Tuesday.
World number two Nadal, level with the absent Roger Federer for the most men's slams in history, defeated Djere 6-3 6-4 6-1 in the opening round in Melbourne.
Nadal needed less than two hours to earn a meeting with either Viktor Troicki or Michael Mmoh as he appeared to dismiss concerns regarding his fitness at Melbourne Park.
All eyes were on Nadal due to a back problem, which left the star unable to compete for Spain in last week's ATP Cup.
But Nadal looked comfortable as Rod Laver Arena was bathed in sunshine, racing out to a commanding 5-1 lead behind a double-break advantage.
Djere – whose racquet went flying out of his hand and into the court as he served in the fourth game – looked overawed, however once he settled, the Serb reeled off seven successive points to unsettle Nadal.
Nadal, though, survived the fightback to close out the first set from a 0-30 deficit, despite his unforced-error count blowing out to 13 – one more than Djere.
Djere showed glimpses as he continued to make things difficult for Nadal, who had only lost twice previously in the first round of a slam – Steve Darcis (2013 Wimbledon) and Fernando Verdasco (2016 Australian Open).
But Nadal had all the answers, reducing his unforced-error count to nine and raising his winners to eight to claim a commanding two-sets-to-love lead.
Nadal boasted an intimidating record when winning the opening two sets of a slam match – 216-1, with his only loss coming to Fabio Fognini at the 2015 US Open – and he never looked back against Djere.
Data Slam: Nadal keeps strong record
Nadal kept a record intact, having never lost an Australian Open match to a player ranked as low as number 56 Djere.
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Nadal – 19/24
Djere – 20/36
ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS
Nadal – 5/1
Djere – 4/5
BREAK POINTS WON
Nadal – 6/11
Djere – 1/5
Two-way player Shohei Ohtani has agreed to a two-year, $8.5million contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani, 26, and the Angels avoided arbitration after agreeing to terms on Monday.
The 2018 American League (AL) Rookie of the Year is set to enter his fourth MLB season with the Angels in 2021.
"OFFICIAL: The Angels have agreed to a two-year, $8.5million contract with Shohei Ohtani," the team wrote on Twitter.
"With the agreement, an arbitration hearing is avoided."
Ohtani is hitting .269 in his MLB career, with 47 home runs and 147 RBIs.
He is 4-3 as a pitcher in 12 starts, including an ERA of 4.39.
Ohtani pitched in just two games in 2020 after suffering a flexor strain in his right elbow, on which he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.
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