LeBron James enters NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols

Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James is entering the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols, meaning he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, according to multiple reports.

The Athletic reported that James will miss Tuesday night’s game against the Sacramento Kings. 

ESPN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the 19-year league veteran is expected to miss several more games while under the protocols.

It’s not clear if James has tested positive for the virus, or if he came into contact with someone who did.

According to the league’s rules, players must return two negative COVID-19 tests on separate days before being cleared to return to play, and players who test positive must sit out for at least 10 days before returning to play, The Washington Post reported.

Players with Covid must be out 10 days, or return two negative PCR tests in a 24 hour period. For now, James will remain in the health and safety protocols.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2021

James joins a list of other league stars including Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Jimmy Butler who have entered the league’s health and safety protocols for COVID-19. 

James, who was recently suspended one game after getting in an altercation with Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart, has shared that he’s vaccinated, adding during his team’s media day in September that while was initially hesitant about getting the shot at first, he did it for the people in his life.

“I know what I did for me and my family. I know what some of my friends did for their families,” James told reporters.  “But as far as speaking for everybody and their individualities, and things they want to do, that’s not my job.” 

The Hill has reached out to the NBA for comment.