Rafael Nadal would "welcome" seeing Novak Djokovic play at future grand slam tournaments if he is granted permission to do so unvaccinated against COVID-19.
World number one Djokovic has courted controversy for his views on being jabbed and was last month deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open.
Djokovic has confirmed he is willing to miss future slams after stating he was prioritising his right to choose what to put into his body above his sporting ambitions.
In Djokovic's absence, Nadal became Australian Open champion and now has 21 titles – the most for a male player.
Nadal believes that any further omissions from Djokovic would only be harmful to the Serbian's chances of history not the slams themselves, but he would have no issue with his rival playing in the sport's biggest tournaments.
Speaking ahead of his return to the ATP Tour in Acapulco, Nadal said: "It will affect Novak's [grand slam] history if he can't play.
"It will affect him, not the grand slams themselves. Whoever wins the most slams – it will be what it will be. Everyone takes their own decisions and must live with them.
"In that sense, hopefully the pandemic subsides and we stop having so many deaths around the world and this horror ends, and we can return to normality – not for Novak but for the world in general.
"There are many people that have suffered, but if Novak can play the grand slams unvaccinated, then he is welcome."
Nadal defeated Daniil Medvedev in an epic Melbourne showpiece to become the first man to 21 slams, but he says the achievement has not changed his life.
"Absolutely nothing has changed having 21 slams, I won't lie to you," he added.
"From 20 to 21 there is not a very large difference. Life goes on exactly the same. The only thing that has changed is that now I play tennis, which a few months ago I couldn't.
"I am very happy for everything that happened in Australia, it was very unexpected, especially before the tournament started. In my life, nothing has changed. No title is going to change what is important in my life, which are other things.
"Already, at 35 years old, I have a lot of experiences behind me, of successes and bad moments and these sensations already help me to live in a more calm and different way."
Novak Djokovic says he will play at whatever tournament will have him as he gears up to make his return to the ATP Tour.
The men's world number one has not played a competitive match since early December and was last month deported from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open.
That decision was a result of Djokovic opting not to join the majority of his tennis peers in getting vaccinated against COVID-19 and amid controversy over how he handled getting the virus himself in December.
Speaking to the BBC in a recent interview, Djokovic stated he was prioritising his right to choose what to put into his body above his sporting ambitions and confirmed he is willing to miss further grand slams if necessary.
With COVID restrictions still in place in many countries, Djokovic acknowledges his options to play are limited.
"I just have to follow the rules. You know, whatever tournament that I'm able to play, I will be trying to get to that country and play the tournament," Djokovic said ahead of facing Lorenzo Musetti in round one of the Dubai Tennis Championships.
"Obviously, I'm not intending to play the full schedule and that wasn't also my intention, as you brought it up and my goal prior to this season or the season before, and I was trying to aim to play my best at the grand slams and some of the 1000 events we have, of course, and playing for my country, those were the biggest motivations that I had in terms of the scheduling.
"Right now, the situation is obviously different for me. So, I really can't choose right now. It's really about where I can go and play. So, wherever I have an opportunity, I'll be using probably that opportunity and going to play because this is what I do, it's what I love to do still.
"And I have support from my family and my team is still there with me and that's what's important for me because obviously it was not easy for anyone in my surroundings to go through these kinds of circumstances and situations that we have been through.
"But it's very exciting to have everyone together here with me. And in Dubai, we're back on the tour and then we'll play this tournament and we'll see how it goes further down the line."
Several stars backed the decision for Djokovic to be barred from playing in Melbourne, with most noting that he had not followed the rules in order to do so.
But the Serbian says he has been received warmly ahead of his return to the ATP Tour.
"I haven't seen too many players, but the players that I've seen have been positive and welcoming," he added.
"And it's nice to see obviously. I can't say that was the case in Australia. It was a little bit strange, but here it's well so far."
Steph Curry said he was "humbled" to honour the late, great Kobe Bryant by setting new ground in Sunday's NBA All-Star game.
The Golden State Warriors superstar nailed 16 three-pointers as Team LeBron defeated Team Durant 163-160 – a new benchmark for the annual exhibition contest.
Curry broke barriers in other areas too. Regarded as one of the greatest shooters of all time, Curry set records for threes made in a quarter (six) and half (eight), while overtaking James Harden for total threes made (39) in the midseason contest.
The guard was a natural choice for MVP. His six threes record came in the second quarter but it was in the third where he had the Cleveland crowd rocking, as Curry nailed five from downtown in the space of 128 seconds.
The Ohio-born Curry's performance also proved hugely beneficial for charity. He had vowed to donate $1,000 for every point he scored, $3,000 for every three he made, and $10,000 if he won All-Star MVP recognition to the Cleveland Metro School District.
The 2022 MVP award was named in tribute to Los Angeles Lakers great Bryant, who tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash in January 2020.
"This trophy has a very special meaning, honouring Kobe and Gigi, everybody that was lost two years ago," said Curry, who finished with a game-high 50 points, after his sensational homecoming performance.
"I'm very humbled, very blessed and I really appreciate it."
Home favourite James, who is now 5-0 as a captain in the All-Star game, fittingly hit the game-winning shot after receiving a rousing reception from the fans in attendance.
But James paid tribute to Curry, a man who was for so long his rival while representing the Cleveland Cavaliers in their battles with the Warriors for the NBA title.
"Steph, I mean, come on, man. This guy is from a different planet," James said.
"He literally has an automatic sniper connected to his arm and, when he lets it go, not only himself but everybody on the floor, in the stands, on TV, on their phones, whatever you're watching on, you think it's going in every time.
"And nine times out of 10, sometimes 10 times out of 10, it does go in. So, to be out there and watch that kid from Akron as well shoot the ball the way he shot it, it was unbelievable. It was pretty cool."
Carlos Alcaraz declared he is "a boy who dreams big" after the 18-year-old landed the Rio Open title and outlined his plans to dominate men's tennis.
A teenager going places, Spaniard Alcaraz was set to shoot up to a career-high ranking inside the ATP top 20 on Monday on the strength of his successful week in Brazil.
He was too strong for Argentina's Diego Schwartzman in what turned out to be a one-sided final, with Alcaraz a 6-4 6-2 winner over an experienced and classy opponent.
It made him the youngest winner of an ATP 500 tournament, since the 2009 creation of that category. Such events rank below the importance of the Masters 1000 tournaments but remain prestigious, and it is one step at a time for now for Alcaraz towards lofty targets.
Alcaraz said: "My ambitions are to be number one in the world, a winner of grand slams, a winner of Olympic medals... I am a boy who dreams big."
This clay-court success whets the appetite for what Alcaraz might achieve on the surface over the coming months. He won the Umag tournament in Croatia on clay last July but will likely be targeting the likes of Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Monte Carlo and even Roland Garros for similar success this year.
It was in Rio two years ago that Alcaraz first won an ATP main-draw match.
"Two years later, winning the tournament means a lot to me," Alcaraz told a news conference. "When I came here for the first time, I came to continue enjoying myself, to learn from the best. This time I had high expectations and I came thinking that I could win, that I am a candidate.
"I am super happy to have won my first ATP 500. It has been a week full of emotions and to be able to win this final has been a great joy for me."
Alcaraz was gutted to miss last year's Davis Cup finals after testing positive for COVID-19, but the powerful teenager is on a mission to maximise his talent in 2022.
He went toe to toe with Matteo Berrettini in the third round of the Australian Open, coming from two sets down to force a decider against last year's Wimbledon runner-up, only to lose out on a tie-break.
This time, Berrettini was among his victims on the road to the title in Rio.
Alcaraz said after Sunday's win, according to Spanish newspaper AS: "The expectations that people have of me are high, and I appreciate that they see that I can be the best in the world, but both my team and I know how difficult it is.
"I think I'm on the right path and if I don't deviate from it and keep doing things well, it won't be guaranteed, but I will have opportunities."
Kevin Durant was absent from the NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland on Sunday night after the death of his grandmother.
Although injured, the 33-year-old Durant had been due to be present as the non-playing captain of Team Durant against LeBron James' Team LeBron.
The Brooklyn Nets superstar was also set to be feted in a ceremony along with fellow members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, the players voted the greatest in the league's history.
Durant's mother, Wanda, announced the family's loss earlier on Sunday.
Wanda Durant wrote on Instagram: "It is with great sadness that we share with family and friends that our Dear Sweet Mama, BARBARA A. Davis, transitioned early this morning."
The NBA sent its condolences to Durant's family, stating on Instagram: "The NBA family mourns the loss of Barbara A. Davis."
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell also pulled out of the game, having fallen ill.
Mitchell had been on the Team LeBron roster, and said: "It is a great honour and has always been a dream of mine to be selected as an NBA All-Star. Remorsefully, I will not be able to play in tonight’s All-Star Game due to an upper respiratory illness [non-COVID-related].
"The entire All-Star weekend is a celebration of the basketball community, the fans and the sport I am blessed to play. I'm focused on getting well and back out on the court. Thank you for all the get-well wishes. I can't wait to see the game later today."
Joaquin Niemann landed the second PGA Tour victory of his career by winning the Genesis Invitational title in California on Sunday.
The Chilean rounded off a dominant week at Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, closing with a level-par 71 to finish two shots clear of American duo Collin Morikawa and Cameron Young.
After carding successive rounds of 63, Saturday's 68 gave Niemann a three-stroke lead heading into the final day.
The 23-year-old's total of 194 across the opening 54 holes set a new record, and by closing out the win on 19 under par he became the first wire-to-wire winner of the event since Charlie Sifford in 1969.
Niemann said on CBS: "This weekend, it took me forever. It felt like a month. I'm so happy it's finally done. I'm really proud of the way we battled, with my caddie.
"This is amazing and seeing the Chilean flag there makes me more speechless, it's awesome.
"It was such a nice week off the course, in the course. This has got to be one of the toughest courses we ever play in the year.
"I surprised myself with how good I played, and after the first two days I talked to myself and was like, 'All right, we've got to finish this, stay focused', and we did it pretty good, so I'm pretty happy."
As two-time major winner Morikawa clawed his way into contention with an impressive round of 65 – including a stunning eagle at the 10th – Niemann made a solid start until bogeying the seventh.
However, the world number 32 responded immediately, with a tremendous approach on the following hole paving the way for a birdie that put him back on track.
He then chipped in for eagle on the 11th as he edged closer to a first PGA title since triumphing at the Greenbrier Classic in 2019.
Successive bogies on the 14th and 15th set up a potentially nervy finish, but Niemann maintained his composure to seal victory.
A timely eagle on the final hole saw former Masters champion Adam Scott finish tied for fourth with Norway's Viktor Hovland, who was one under for the day.
Rory McIlroy declared the Saudi Arabia-backed breakaway Super Golf League "dead in the water" as he accused Phil Mickelson of making "selfish, egotistical, ignorant" remarks.
A number of high-profile players are said to have been targeted by organisers of the lucrative proposal, including Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau.
But the most prominent names to have discussed the league publicly – including Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa – had pledged allegiance to the PGA Tour, and Johnson and DeChambeau joined them on Sunday, a significant turn of events.
Mickelson recently gave a remarkable interview to the Fire Pit Collective's Alan Shipnuck, in which the six-time major champion claimed he and several other golfers paid their lawyers to construct the proposed breakaway competition's operating agreement.
As Mickelson put it, the motivation was "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates", claiming Saudi money had provided "leverage" for negotiations.
Mickelson criticised PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, and McIlroy, speaking on Sunday after tying for 10th place at the Genesis Invitational, made clear his disdain for the 51-year-old's comments.
"I don't want to kick someone while he's down obviously, but I thought they were naive, selfish, egotistical, ignorant, a lot of words to describe that interaction he had with Shipnuck," McIlroy said.
"It was just very surprising, disappointing, sad, and I'm sure he's sitting at home sort of rethinking his position and where he goes from here."
DeChambeau declared his commitment to the PGA Tour, stating: "While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I."
Johnson also spoke out, saying: "Over the past several months, there has been a great deal of speculation about an alternative tour, much of which seems to have included me and my future in professional golf. I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour."
Asked if such players supporting the US-based PGA Tour would finish off the Super Golf League venture, McIlroy said: "Yeah, yeah. I mean, who's left? Who's left to go? There's no-one. It's dead in the water in my opinion. I just can't see any reason why anyone would go."
Four-time major winner McIlroy added: "I've always reiterated that I feel like this is the best place to play golf if you're an elite professional golfer."
He praised tour executives and welcomed the comments from DeChambeau and Johnson.
"I was really glad to see DJ and Bryson fill out those statements this week," McIlroy said. "We all want to play against the best players in the world, and they are certainly two of the best players in the world. It's nice to know that they're committed to playing here and committed to making this the best tour in the world."
Teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz made history as he defeated Diego Schwartzman in straight sets to claim the Rio Open title.
The 18-year-old became the youngest winner of an ATP 500 event since the creation of the category in 2009, clinching a 6-4 6-2 victory in one hour and 26 minutes.
Alcaraz, set to climb into the world's top 20 for the first time, captured his second tour-level title after triumphing at last year's Croatia Open.
The Spaniard won five out of six break points, including a crucial one at 4-4 on his way to taking the opening set.
Third seed Schwartzman – champion in Rio in 2018 – was appearing in his second successive final, having reached the showpiece in Buenos Aires last week.
But the Argentinian was unable to compete with the powerful seventh seed on clay, the surface on which Alcaraz could do major damage in the coming years.
Meanwhile, Cameron Norrie landed his third ATP Tour title after beating Reilly Opelka 7-6 (7-1) 7-6 (7-4) in the Delray Beach Open showpiece.
Top seed Norrie had endured a torrid start to the 2022 season, which began for him with four successive defeats.
Meanwhile, Opelka was seeking a second title in as many weeks following his triumph at the Dallas Open.
The American had won six out of six tie-breaks on his way to victory in Dallas, and a further four this week.
But despite the big-serving second seed hitting 25 aces against Norrie, taking his tournament tally to 81, and 46 winners, a total of 33 unforced errors proved costly.
Although he was denied all five opportunities to break as both sets went to a tie-break, Norrie's service game remained solid throughout and just seven unforced errors underlined his strong performance.
Belinda Bencic made a painfully sharp exit from the Qatar Open as she was beaten 6-4 3-6 6-3 by rising star Clara Tauson.
The Olympic champion was the highest-profile casualty on day one, losing to a player making her main-draw debut in a WTA 1000 event.
Only the second Danish player to appear in Doha, after former world number one Caroline Wozniacki, the 19-year-old Tauson came from 4-2 down to take the opening set, before Bencic levelled up.
But Tauson was not to be denied. The world number 33 gained a crucial break in game four of the decider, before winning 12 of the last 13 points on her serve to set up a second-round clash with third seed Paula Badosa.
"It was a very tough match," said Tauson, who hit seven aces. "I know Belinda is playing very well, so I had to play my best today, and I did sometimes.
"I have my confidence, but every match is really tough at this level, so I'm doing my best."
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka survived a scare to scrape past Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 5-7 6-2 7-5.
The 12th seed, who is aiming to become the first player to lift this trophy three times, recovered from two breaks down in the decide before rescuing match point at 5-4 down and eventually scrambling over the line.
Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Bencic and Naomi Osaka at the Australian Open, built on her early-season momentum by seeing off Beatriz Haddad Maia 7-5 6-4.
Ninth seed Jessie Pegula – a quarter-finalist in the season's opening grand slam – beat doubles world number one Katerina Siniakova in straight sets, while former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin lost in three sets to fellow American Ann Li.
The Jamaica Lawn Bowls Association has selected Robert Simpson and Maureen Caesar to represent Jamaica at the 2022 World Bowls Indoor Championships set for the City & County of Bristol Indoor Bowling Club, Bristol, England from 25-29 April 2022.
Andrey Rublev was crowned champion at the Open 13 Provence after downing Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-5 7-6 (7-4) in the final.
Auger-Aliassime defeated Rublev in Rotterdam last week on the way to securing his maiden ATP Tour title, though all of their past meetings had required a deciding set.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime immediately broke Rublev, but the world number seven battled back to eventually claim the first set after a tense 56-minute opening exchange.
The pair twice exchanged breaks in the following set, with Rublev failing to serve out for the match at 5-4 before saving a set point at 5-6 down.
Rublev rallied from that point onwards, however, claiming his ninth tour-level triumph after a second set tie-break.
The Russian will look to become just the third man in the tournament's 30-year history to win the singles and doubles titles in the same edition when he takes to the court with Ukraine's Denys Molchanov in the doubles final.
Bruce Arians is not expecting Tom Brady to reverse his decision to retire from the NFL.
Brady called time on a stunning 22-season career in the league last month following the end of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' title defence.
The only player to win seven Super Bowl titles, Brady has nothing left to prove, but has not ruled out a return to the sport he has dominated.
"I'm just going to take things as they come," Brady recently told Jim Gray on the "Let's Go!" podcast. "I think that's the best way to put it, and you never say never.
"At the same time, I feel very good about my decision. I don't know how I'll feel six months from now."
The Buccaneers still own Brady's rights, so a decision to come out of retirement would mean they would need to trade or release him if he did not wish to play for the team he joined after 20 seasons with the New England Patriots.
Head coach Arians, though, is not anticipating such a scenario, telling the Tampa Bay Times: "That would shock me [Brady playing in 2022].
"And he let us know in time to do the free agency like we've done in the past, that's why I don't see it happening."
Arians also rejected claims from former NFL player Rich Ohrnberger that his relationship with Brady deteriorated last year, taking particular issue with the detail that Arians would remove things from a gameplan put together by Brady and offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich while the head coach rehabbed his Achilles in the morning.
"It seems like there's one [story] every day now,’" Arians added. "Everybody is speculating he's going somewhere else.
"That don't bother me. This other b*******, the relationship thing, that's so far-fetched.
"I mean, that's such b*******. That's what pisses me off. I guess probably Byron could corroborate this, too
"First of all, I don't rehab my Achilles in the morning. I will go over the gameplans and add things, but I don't delete anything. I don't have to because they do such a good job.
"I'll see some things. Add some things. It's an awesome collaboration, one of the best I've ever been around."
Amir Khan is contemplating retirement from boxing after admitting he is losing love for the sport in the wake of his loss to Kell Brook.
Brook defeated Khan in Manchester on Saturday, securing a sixth-round stoppage in a highly anticipated grudge match between the British rivals.
A sixth career loss – and third defeat in his last six fights - left 35-year-old Khan in a reflective mood.
He bravely battled on when under constant attack from a dominant Brook but was ultimately soundly beaten.
"I've had 40 fights, winning two world titles, fighting in America and around the world," Khan said to Sky Sports.
"I need to sit down with my family. But it is more towards the end of my career.
"The love for the sport isn't there anymore and, in the ring, I didn't have excitement and that push. That's maybe a sign that I should call it a day. But let's see."
Khan added at the post-fight news conference: "The first time I felt like this was when I fought Bud [Terence] Crawford. I felt like I just can't get in the groove. I thought maybe it was just because he was that good.
"But [against Brook] I tried and I just couldn't really get in the groove.
"It's something to think about it, definitely. I've always said I don't want boxing to retire me, I want to retire from boxing before it does that.
"Punishment like that, sometimes in boxing - I know I showed a big heart and took some big shots - but sometimes too much of that can be harmful in the future.
"I've done more than I ever expected. Maybe I peaked too early in my career, I was at the Olympics at 17, I won the world title at 22.
"I want to spend time with my kids and my family. I want to be there for my family, I want to take them to school and be that father.
"I'm 35 now, I've been in the game a very long time, I'm an old man now."
Brook, meanwhile, felt the Khan camp had embarked on mind games. After hitting a 49lbs catchweight imposed by Khan, he was forced to change his gloves in the ring just before the action got under way.
"I had to put different gloves on," said Brook. "He said he wasn't happy with my gloves.
"In the final moment in the ring, they said they wouldn't pay me unless I put new gloves on. We did all his demands and there were the weight issues.
"I dealt with everything. They did it all week. They tried to get in my head. To poke at me. I even had someone knock on my hotel room door at 3am this morning to disrupt my sleep!
"But I took care of business."
Ultimately, though, the rivals embraced in the ring after the fight.
"I've always had respect for him," explained Brook. "But when I didn't get it back? It's hard to like someone.
"But he took shots and tried to hold on. I respect him for that. He said we can get a coffee after!
"I've always wanted to have the fight with Amir - this grudge match is the icing on the cake for me. I can live at peace with myself, with my career now."
Kell Brook is open to another British blockbuster fight against Chris Eubank Jr. after seeing off long-time rival Amir Khan.
A bitter feud with Khan was settled in Manchester on Saturday as Brook secured a sixth-round stoppage with a powerful and dominant display.
It was the 40th win of Brook's impressive career, with his only three defeats having come against greats of the sport in the shape of Gennady Golovkin, Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford.
Due to turn 36 in May, retirement is an option for Brook but so is a fight against Eubank (32-2), who saw off Liam Williams earlier this month and is prepared to come down to a 158lbs catchweight to secure the fight.
Asked about his future plans, Brook told Sky Sports: "I can walk away [but] Eubank, I don't like Eubank.
"We could fight Eubank and there are some big fights out there for me.
"If the millions are right, I'll fight. I'm a prizefighter at the end of the day, I've got three beautiful daughters that want that money off me."
Brook had also stated he was open to a bout with Eubank before his tussle with Khan.
"Yeah, if I do continue with the game, why not?" he said prior to the win. "I don't like him and I would like to punch his face in as well."
Eubank Jr. was in attendance for the Brook-Khan battle and made his push for what could be a lucrative fight.
"Me and Kell have beef, we have history," he said.
"He's said a lot of things about me, he says he wants to kick my head in after this fight, so I want to fight Kell Brook after this."
He added in tweet directed at Brook: "Nice win but let's see if you can fight like that against me."
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz secured a spot in the Rio Open final after knocking off top seed Matteo Berrettini followed by countryman Fabio Fognini on Saturday.
Several quarter-finals were squeezed into Saturday's schedule alongside evening semi-finals following Friday's ranout, forcing Alcaraz to play twice along with Diego Schwartzman who also progressed to Sunday's decider.
Alcaraz first defeated top seed and 2021 Wimbledon finalist Berrettini in three sets, triumphing 6-2 2-6 6-2 in two hours and two minutes.
The 18-year-old Spanish seventh seed, who reached last year's US Open quarter-finals, backed that up with a straight-sets win over Fognini, 6-2 7-5.
"It means a lot to me," Alcaraz said post-match. "I surprised myself to be able to win two matches in a row in the same day. It's tough to win one match, two is even tougher."
Third seed Schwartzman got past fellow Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 in a two-hour-and-two-minute semi-final, having won through earlier in the day 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-4 against Pablo Andujar.
The top two seeds will meet in the Delray Beach Open final in Florida after wins by Cameron Norrie and Reilly Opelka on Saturday.
First seed Norrie got past American fourth seed Tommy Paul 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 16 minutes. Norrie had endured a slow start to the calendar year, but will now play for a third ATP Tour title.
Second seed Opelka had a tougher outing, needing three hours to overcome John Millman 7-6 (10-8) 6-7 (3-7) 7-6 (7-4). In a match which only saw two breaks of serve,
Opelka, who won last week's Dallas Open title, sent down 16 aces and won 82 per cent of his first serve.
Ohio-born four-time NBA MVP LeBron James is not ruling out a potential return to the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The 37-year-old is nearing the end of his decorated career but is enjoying an excellent season on an individual level for the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 29.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists.
However, the Lakers do not appear to be a title threat this season, sitting below .500 with a 27-31 record and ninth spot in the Western Conference.
The Lakers also were inactive on the NBA Trade Deadline leading to some reports suggesting James was unhappy, before Anthony Davis went down with a new foot injury leaving them short-handed ahead of a crucial stretch after the All-Star break.
James, who led the Lakers to the 2020 NBA title, is in the first year of a two-year $85 million contract and will not be a free agent until the 2023-24 season.
"The door's not closed on that," James told The Athletic on Saturday when asked about potentially returning to the Cavs.
"I'm not saying I'm coming back and playing, I don't know. I don't know what my future holds. I don't even know when I'm free."
James, who played for the Cavs from 2003 to 2010, was more forthright when discussing playing alongside his son Bronny, who is eligible to be drafted in 2024 when LeBron will be 39.
"My last year will be played with my son," James said. "Wherever Bronny is at, that's where I'll be.
"I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for one year. It's not about the money at that point."
James, who is in Cleveland for Sunday's All-Star Game, has the third-best average for scoring per game this season, while he has scored a personal-best 25 points or more in 23 successive games, yet the Lakers are struggling to make the playoffs.
"That's part of the motivation at this point," he said. "I know it's been a hell-storm of a season for us so far but if I can get our group in the [postseason] games, all we can ask for is a chance."
Former world number one Tiger Woods admits he is not sure if he will return to the PGA Tour this year.
The 15-time major champion said earlier this week that he did not know when he will be able to competitively play golf again following his car accident in February 2021.
Woods said he was a "long way off" and added on Saturday that he could not commit to returning to the PGA Tour this calendar year.
"You'll see me [again] on the PGA Tour, I just don’t know when," Woods said on CBS during coverage of the Genesis International.
"Trust me, I'd love to tell you I'll be playing next week but I don’t know when, which is frustrating in that sense because I've been down this road too before with my back when I didn't know when I'd come back.
"It's hard. It's hard not to have goals out there. OK I want to play this event so I can set myself up for that mentally, physically and emotionally, I don’t have any of those dates in my head. I don’t know yet."
Woods had said during the week that he was still having trouble walking, having suffered significant leg injuries in the car crash.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid says the way he has been playing speaks for itself about his credentials to win the coveted NBA MVP this season.
The five-time All-Star has enjoyed a dominant season for the Sixers despite the Ben Simmons trade saga, averaging 29.6 points, 11.2 rebounds and a career-high 4.5 assists.
Powered by Embiid who has been joined by James Harden in Philadelphia, the Sixers sit third in the Eastern Conference with a 35-23 record.
The 27-year-old finished third in MVP voting behind winner Nikola Jokic and Stephen Curry last season.
"I don't want to push for the whole thing, but the way I've been playing speaks for itself," Embiid told reporters on Saturday ahead of Sunday's All-Star Game where he will play for Team Durant.
"Especially with everything we went through, the drama this whole year, obviously missing a big piece and then everything that happened to our team and the way our team is set up.
"I knew had to take my game to another level whether it was offensively, defensively or playmaking and I've got great teammates that are coming in every single day and giving their all on the floor.
"But it always goes back to winning. As long as we win I'll be at that level and have a chance to win it all and win the MVP.
"But to answer your question, the play speaks for itself. Every single night that's what I've been doing offensively and defensively and I don't plan on stopping."
Embiid, who was drafted by the Sixers with pick three in 2014, added that he felt this season was his best to date.
"There's still another level that I can get to, that I believe I can get to and I plan to keep working to reach that level," Embiid said.
"Last year was great [but] this year I really had to take my game to an even higher level than last year. I would say yes, so far, but still another level I can get to."
Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul may need a stint on the sidelines due to the hand injury suffered in his side's final game prior to the All-Star break.
Paul was left clutching the injury and ejected for his reaction in the Suns' 124-121 win over the Houston Rockets on Wednesday after Jae'Sean Tate's arm struck his hand when throwing a pass.
The 36-year-old underwent an MRI on Thursday although the Suns have not released any diagnosis, while Paul has since linked up with Team LeBron for Sunday's All-Star Game.
Paul's hand was wrapped in a cast at Saturday's practise and he did not rule himself out of the All-Star Game, but indicated he may need time out due to the injury.
"I always want to play. When I felt that in my hand, I was mad for all types of reasons," Paul told reporters after practise.
"Obviously we're not going to [rush it]. I'm going to try to heal as fast as physically possible. The second I'm able to play, I guarantee you I will be playing."
Paul's Suns head coach Monty Williams is in charge of Team LeBron but also would not be drawn on the extent of the injury.
The Suns are leading the NBA with a 48-10 record and Paul, who has a history of hand and wrist problems, hinted that position meant he could be afforded time to get the problem right.
"We're 48-10 and if we do miss some time I know the guys are going to hold it down," Paul said.
"There's always going to be a frustration with injury. My hand surgeon is part of my family now."
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