LeBron OK to play after negative tests

LeBron James has been cleared to return to the Lakers after missing one game under the NBA’s health and safety protocols.

The league said Thursday that James isn’t positive for COVID-19 despite a series of tests that produced conflicting results earlier this week. Additional testing cleared James to play when the Lakers host the Clippers on Friday night.

James got an initial positive test from a sample collected Monday. The sample was retested twice, producing one positive and one negative. James underwent additional testing Tuesday, but those returned one negative result and one inconclusive result. He subsequently had two negative PCR tests conducted more than 24 hours apart, meeting the criteria necessary to return to play.

James, 36, has said he’s vaccinated.

Zion Williamson’s season debut with the Pelicans will be delayed because of soreness in his surgically repaired right foot, the team announced. The All-Star big man and former No. 1 pick was supposed to participate in his first full practice but was held out due to soreness. He will to back to low-impact work for a few days. The Pelicans are optimistic it won’t be a long-term issue . ... Bucks C Brook Lopez underwent surgery to address the back injury that has kept him from playing since the season opener. There’s no timetable yet for his return.

College football: Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall announced that he will resign after the team’s upcoming bowl game. Mendenhall, 55, went 36-38 in six seasons with the Cavaliers.

NFL: The league suspended Bucs WR Antonio Brown, S Mike Edwards and ex-WR John Franklin III three games for using fake COVID-19 vaccination cards. Brown wasn’t expected to play in the next two games because of an injury that has kept him out since Week 7.