LeBron in virus protocols
LeBron James has been placed in the NBA’s health and safety protocols, and was ruled out for the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.
Such a move almost certainly means one of two things: that James, who said earlier this season that he is vaccinated, either tested positive for COVID-19 or had an inconclusive result.
A person with knowledge of the situation said the Lakers are preparing for James to miss multiple games. The person spoke on condition of anonymity s because neither the team nor James had revealed that detail publicly. ESPN previously reported that James is “expected” to miss several games.
If James tested positive, he would likely be looking at a minimum of 10 days away from the Lakers unless he returns two negative PCR tests in a 24-hour span. The Lakers learned of James’ situation Tuesday morning, coach Frank Vogel said, and arranged for transportation to take him back to Los Angeles from Sacramento.
Vogel would not say if James was exhibiting any
symptoms.
“Obviously it’s a huge loss,” Vogel said before Tuesday’s game. “It’s disappointing. We just want the best for him now. That’s where our thoughts are.”
The news that James is missing time came on the same day the NBA underscored its previous recommendation, echoed by the National Basketball Players Association, that coaches and players who are vaccinated receive a booster shot as soon as possible.
Tuesday’s game marks James’ 12th absence in the Lakers’ first 23 games this season. He missed 10 games because of injuries and another
because of the first NBA suspension of his 19year career.
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