LeBron Enters Health And Safety Protocols, Out Tonight Vs. Kings

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) - According to Shams Charania, trusted NBA source with The Athletic, LeBron James has entered health and safety protocols, and will miss at least tonight's game versus the Sacramento Kings.

Less than an hour later, Charania also reported that James will be out for at least 10 days, and must turn in two negative tests results before his return to NBA action.

The NBA reports that 97% of league players are vaccinated in some capacity against the virus, whether it be one dosage or the full vaccination dosage recommendations.

The NBA instituted a new set of health and safety protocols heading into the 2021-22 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some of those rules include:

• If a player who tests positive, 10 days must pass since the positive tests and/or at least 24 hours since the fever broke. That player must return two negative tests 24 hours apart from each other.
• If a player, coach, trainer, etc. comes in contact with a person who is positive, said individual must isolate.
• Players slated to return must undergo a series of tests and cardiac screening.
• Severe instances will undergo a three-day period of observation from a team approved cardiologist before returning to play. For mild instances, that observation period is just two days. Asymptomatic or extremely mild instances will be observed by a cardiologist until they see fit for the player's return.
• Unvaccinated players are required to stay at their place of residence/at the hotel depending on where the team is playing at the time.
• If an unvaccinated player does test positive, the league will dock him 1/91.6th of his salary.

For a more concise list of health and safety protocol visit the NBA website here.

Without James this season, the Lakers have gone 4-7. The superstar is averaging 25.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game thus far.

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