LeBron James has been cleared to play tonight (Dec. 3) against the Los Angeles Clippers after testing negative for COVID-19, the NBA announced on Thursday (Dec. 2). According to ESPN, the Los Angeles Lakers star has returned eight negative COVID-19 tests since arriving in Los Angeles on Tuesday afternoon (Nov. 30).
As reported by REVOLT, James tested positive for the virus on Tuesday morning while in Sacramento.
“James was originally placed in the [NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety] protocols on Tuesday, November 30 after a series of tests delivered conflicting results, including an initial positive test that was collected on November 29,” the league said in a statement. “Additional testing confirmed that he is not a positive case.”
“In accordance with the protocols, and the consistent testing practice that has been in place since the 2019-20 Season Restart in Orlando, the sample that produced the initial positive test was re-run twice and returned one negative and one positive result on two different PCR instruments,” it continued. “As a result, James underwent additional testing on November 30, with one test returning a negative result and a second test resulting in a clinically inconclusive result.”
James, who was vaccinated against the Coronavirus earlier this year, missed Tuesday’s game against the Sacramento Kings, but the Lakers prevailed with a 117-92 score. The Olympic gold medalist was also unable to practice with his team on Thursday, per the protocol.
According to the NBA COVID-19 health and safety protocol, players who have tested positive for COVID-19 can only return to play after receiving two consecutive negative test results at least 24 hours apart. Otherwise, they must continue to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
James will rejoin the Lakers tonight in their game against the Clippers at Los Angeles’ Staples Center beginning at 7:00 p.m. PST.