Here’s the earliest LeBron James can return for Lakers after testing positive for COVID-19

Published by

Peter Dewey

November 30, 2021 6:02 pm

The timeline for Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James’ return from the NBA’s health and safety protocols has been revealed.

James reportedly will be sidelined for 10 days unless he can produce two negative tests for COVID-19 within 24 hours of each other.

This is a major blow for the Lakers as they prepare to face the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday night.

The Lakers are 11-11 on the season, but they have already played 11 games without James this season.

If James were to miss 10 days, he would at least miss the Lakers’ games against the Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies.

The Lakers are just 4-7 without James in the 2021-22 campaign, but they have been a much better 7-4 when he has been in the lineup.

On the season, James is averaging 25.8 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game while shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from beyond the arc.

Peter Dewey

Peter is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where he covered the MAAC and college basketball for three years. He has worked for NBC Sports, the Connecticut Sun and the Meriden Record-Journal covering basketball and other major sports. Follow him on Twitter @peterdewey2.