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LeBron enters health and safety protocols, may reportedly miss 10 days

Adam Pantozzi / National Basketball Association / Getty

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James didn't play in Tuesday's 117-92 victory against the Sacramento Kings as he entered the NBA's health and safety protocols, the team announced, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania.

James will reportedly miss at least 10 days, but he could return sooner if he registers two negative COVID-19 tests in a 24-hour span.

Anthony Davis said James told him he was asymptomatic, according to Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times.

James disclosed prior to the 2021-22 season that he received the COVID-19 vaccine after initially having reservations about it.

"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 my family and my friends, and that's why I decided to do it," he told reporters in September.

Approximately 97% of the league's players have been vaccinated, though the NBA is recommending booster shots for those who are eligible, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

James, 36, is averaging 25.8 points, 6.8 assists, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals while playing 36.9 minutes per contest in his 19th campaign.

Including Tuesday's encounter against Sacramento, James will have played in just 11 of the Lakers' 23 games this season. He missed eight straight contests earlier this month due to an abdominal strain and was then suspended for the team's trip to New York to face the Knicks on Nov. 23. James also missed two consecutive games in late October with a sore right ankle.

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