LeBron James in COVID protocols, could be out at least 10 days

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers' LeBron James in health and safety protocols, could be out at least 10 days

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/30/21

The Los Angeles Lakers sit at 11-11 overall on the NBA season heading into Tuesday's game at the Sacramento Kings but generated headlines before that matchup for reasons not related to their record.

Lakers beat reporter Mike Trudell confirmed that superstar and four-time NBA champion LeBron James isn't available Tuesday because he entered the league's health and safety protocols. Additionally, NBA insider Shams Charania tweeted James could find himself out of action for over a week:

Lakers star LeBron James will be sidelined for at least 10 days, or unless he returns two negative test results in 24 hours moving forward, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/Mok1iyfogL
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 1, 2021

James has averaged 25.8 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.2 rebounds across 11 contests this season but has also missed 11 total games because of injury setbacks and a suspension. According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the Lakers are 7-4 with James in the lineup and 4-7 without him this fall.

James announced at the team's media day in late September he's vaccinated against COVID-19 and that he decided to receive one of the safe and available vaccines because he believed doing so was the right thing to benefit himself, his family, friends, and teammates.

The 36-year-old could be sidelined for a minimum of five additional contests if he isn't cleared to return before Dec. 10. ESPN's Adrianx Wojnarowski also reported James is expected to miss multiple games:

LeBron James -- who the Lakers are listing in health and safety protocols -- is expected to miss several games, source tells ESPN. Players with positive Covid cases must be out a minimum of 10 days.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2021

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

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