In yet another plot twist, LeBron James has cleared the NBA's health and safety protocols and will play for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center.
Just in: Lakers star LeBron James has been cleared from health and safety protocols to return on Friday vs. Clippers, after testing positive but since registering multiple negative COVID-19 tests, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 2, 2021
LeBron was able to provide multiple negative PCR tests 24 hours apart. Per the league's protocols, vaccinated players with no symptoms can resume basketball activities after either isolating for 10 days or by passing two negative PCR tests.
James was placed in protocols on Tuesday morning, hours before the Lakers' road win against the Sacramento Kings. Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said the Lakers privately arranged for LeBron to travel back to Los Angeles but wouldn't go into more specifics.
After the game, Anthony Davis all but confirmed that James had tested positive for COVID-19 and was asymptomatic.
On Wednesday, James sent a cagey tweet expressing skepticism about the whole situation.
According to ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James has been tested eight times since Saturday and his positive result in Sacramento was a false positive. The NBA released a statement explaining why LeBron was cleared so quickly.
The NBA releases a statement, explaining what happened with LeBron James and his COVID-19 testing over the last few days.
The Lakers star has cleared NBA protocols and will play Friday vs. the Clippers pic.twitter.com/V15i6DGAwf
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) December 2, 2021
Now, instead of missing LeBron for five to six games, the Lakers will be able to build off the momentum of their two-game winning streak with their superstar healthy and available. Good news all-around.
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