Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has been cleared to play basketball again just days after testing positive for COVID-19, the NBA said Thursday.
'Following two negative PCR tests conducted more than 24 hours apart, Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James has cleared the NBA's Health & Safety Protocols,' the association said. '
James was originally placed in the protocols on November 30 after a series of tests delivered conflicting results, including an initial positive test that was collected on November 29.
'Additional testing confirmed that he is not a positive case.'
LeBron James, pictured on November 28 playing against the Detroit Pistons, missed Tuesday night's game against Sacramento, due to COVID protocols
The athlete was forced to sit Tuesday's game out in Sacramento after testing positive for the virus, but is now free to participate in tomorrow night's game against the LA Clippers.
The same sample that initially showed James was positive with the virus was used twice more, one confirming the positive result and the other coming back negative.
He was tested again the following day with the test again producing inconsistent results; one was negative and the other was inconclusive.
Thermo Fisher Scientific - the maker of the nation's only FDA-approved diagnostic test that can detect the new Omicron strain - said its tests can still detect COVID, even with the new variant.
He was cleared to play basketball again Thursday, just days after testing positive for COVID-19, the NBA
The team earlier this week did not confirm that James tested positive, but he was placed in the NBA's health and safety protocol, meaning he's either infected or was deemed to be a close contact of someone that is.
Under the rules imposed by the NBA, anyone who comes into close contact with a COVID-positive person must then quarantine.
The Lakers beat the Kings in Sacrament on Tuesday night without James, 117-92.
In September, James confirmed he was fully vaccinated.
'I know that for me I can speak about myself,' James said.
'I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family, and things of that nature.
'I know that I was very [skeptical] about it all, but after doing my research, and things of that nature, I felt like it was best suited for not only me but for my family and for my friends, and that's why I decided to do it.'
In September, James confirmed he was fully vaccinated, saying: 'I think everyone has their own choice to do what they feel is right for themselves and their family'
Rob Pelinka, Lakers president of basketball operations, said at the end of August that he expected all of the players currently on the team's roster to be deemed fully vaccinated by their first game on October 19.
Forward Anthony Davis said at the time that 'if he's not mistaken,' he thinks every player on the team is vaccinated already.
James has only competed in 11 of the Lakers' 22 games this season after being sidelined with an abdominal strain and serving a one-game suspension for an on-court incident against the Detroit Piston.
The Lakers are currently 11-11, good for seventh in the Western Conference.
James is in the midst of a terrible few weeks, with the COVID quarantine coming four days after he was fined $15,000 by the NBA for making an obscene gesture known as 'Big Balls Dance' during a game, and was also warned for using profane language.
The dance was on Wednesday, in celebration of victory over the Indiana Pacers.
The profane language was on Sunday, following a game against the Detroit Pistons, during which he was sent off and suspended - describing the decision as 'some bulls***.'
James was fined on Friday.
On Sunday he earned his suspension for having elbowed Detroit Pistons center Isaiah Stewart in the face, leaving him with a bloody eye.
Footage from Sunday's game shows James slamming Stewart in the face with his left arm and fist as they grappled for position during a free throw.
Stewart drops to the court clutching his face, and James appears to acknowledge the collision, turning toward Stewart with his hand extended in an apparent gesture of apology.
A furious Stewart then charged at James, as teammates rushed to pull the two players apart.
LeBron James on Wednesday performed the celebratory 'Big Balls Dance', earning him a $15,000 fine issued on Friday
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (right) was ejected from Sunday's game in Detroit after delivering a brutal blow to the face of Pistons center Isaiah Stewart (left), who was left with a gruesome cut over his right eye
James was instantly ejected after his left elbow and fist struck Stewart during Pistons forward Jerami Grant's free throw attempt in the third quarter of Sunday night's game at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit
James's fist appeared to hit Stewart's face as the Lakers forward spun around while the two battled for rebounding position
Blood was streaming down Isaiah Stewart's face after he took a hard blow from LeBron James on Sunday
Stewart, bleeding profusely around his right eye, grappled with teammates as he tried again and again to charge at James.
Coaches and referees tried in vain to hold Stewart back as he broke free repeatedly.
Finally, Stewart nodded his head and appeared to agree to head to the locker room, turning to walk toward the tunnel.
But it was a ruse, and Stewart again whirled and charged at James, sprinting up the court as coaches, players and refs hurled themselves at him, clinging to his arms.
Stewart was finally manhandled off the court, and sprinted up the tunnel to the locker room.
Both James and Stewart were ejected from the game by referees.
After the game, James was suspended - meaning he missed Monday's game against the New York Knicks.
James told an ESPN reporter that the decision was 'some bulls***'.
He said Rob Pelinka, the Lakers general manager, called him with the bad news.
'Rob called me. I missed his call,' James told ESPN.
'As soon as when I checked my phone and it was a missed call, I was like, I know I'm suspended.
'I mean, it's some bulls***. But whatever.'
LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers is ejected from the game during the third quarter of the game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on Sunday
Head coach Dwane Casey of the Detroit Pistons and Cade Cunningham struggle to hold back Isaiah Stewart after he was struck by LeBron James
Coaches and referees tried in vain to hold Stewart back as he broke free again and again and tried to charge at James and exact his revenge
James walks off the court after being ejected from the game for the hit on Stewart
The second reprimand on Friday came for James's obscene gesture when he returned to the court, on Wednesday.
Late in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' overtime win against Indiana, James made a deep three point shot and then performed a celebration colloquially known in NBA circles as the 'Big Balls Dance.'
As he made his way back down the court he gestured with a hand below his groin in a cupping motion while bouncing from foot to foot.
The game on Wednesday was further marked by James ordering two young Indiana Pacers fans off the court, for making offensive remarks.
He was seen gesturing to the referee and marching him over to where two young fans were sitting court side.
He points to them, yelling: 'This one, right f****** here!'
LeBron James on Wednesday night, during a game against the Indiana Pacers, ordered that two young fans leave their courtside seats
The 36-year-old pointed out the pair, saying: 'This one, right f****** here!'
A court official approached and told the two that they needed to leave the arena
James gestured angrily, insisting that the pair be kicked out
The man seemed amused by the debacle, and the woman he was with mocked James with a crying face
The Pacers fans laughed off being evicted from the arena, although it was unclear what they said
An official asked the two to leave, and the shocked-looking pair then stood up and left their seats - with the girl then making a mocking crying face, rubbing her eyes like a baby.
The Pacers couple do not appear to have spoken about the moment on social media.
It was unclear what they had said or done to anger James.
A YouTuber who claimed to be sitting court side near the couple said they made disparaging comments about Lebron's eldest son, Bronny.
'The girl said 'I hope Bronny dies in a car wreck' [and] the guy kept chirping... like a chicken sound. 'Bronny's a bih bih bih'...
'It was very weird and they were asked by staff to cool it once or twice but hey.'
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