Lebron enters NBA health protocols
Lebron James was placed in the NBA’S health and safety protocols, and was ruled out for the Lakers’ road game against the Kings on Tuesday night.
Such a move almost certainly means one of two things: that James, who said earlier this season that he’s vaccinated, either tested positive for COVID-19 or had an inconclusive result.
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 news that he’s missing time came on the same day that 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.
The NBA, in a memo obtained by The AP, also told its teams Tuesday that it has documented 34 cases in which a fully vaccinated player, coach or staffer had a breakthrough case of COVID-19.
The league has said about 97% of players are fully vaccinated.
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 suspension of his 19-year career.
College basketball: Georgia State canceled its game Wednesday against Tennessee State because of COVID protocols and injuries. The Panthers (4-2) lost Saturday at Rhode Island with a squad that included only seven scholarship players and nine players overall.
College football: Former UCF RB Otis Anderson Jr. was shot and killed at his parents’ home in Jacksonville, Fla., on Monday evening, and his father has been charged in his death. Anderson Jr., was 23. He was with the Rams for training camp this year . ... Virginia Tech named Penn State defensive coordinator Brent Pry its head coach. Pry, 51, replaces former Hokies coach Justin Fuente, who was out as Hokies coach as of Nov. 16 after his teams went 43-31 in six seasons. Pry served as a defensive graduate assistant for the Hokies from 1995-97. ... Kentucky and coach Mark Stoops agreed to a new contract through at least the 2027 season. Financial terms weren’t yet available. Stoops, 54, is 58-53 in nine seasons at Kentucky and is set to lead the team into its sixth consecutive bowl game.
NHL: The Devils signed center Jack Hughes to an eight-year, $64 million contract extension. Hughes, 20, the No. 1 pick overall in the 2019 draft, returned to the lineup Tuesday after missing 17 games with a dislocated shoulder . ... Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy was placed in the league’s COVID protocol. Cassidy, who’s the first Bruins player or coach to be added to the protocol this season, has mild symptoms. Cassidy must isolate from the team for at least 10 days and get a doctor’s approval to return.
Soccer: The England women’s team swept to the biggest win in its history, beating visitor Latvia 20-0 in a World Cup qualifier. There were 10 different scorers and four got hat tricks — including Ellen White, who became the team’s record scorer of all time and is now on 48 goals for her country. England’s previous biggest win was 13-0 against Hungary in 2005.