Amid blowback over perceived preferential treatment for LeBron James, the NBA explained on Monday why it declined to suspend him for breaking the league’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols.
James reportedly attended an event promoting a tequila brand alongside Drake and Michael B. Jordan prior to the Lakers‘ play-in game against the Golden State Warriors last week. The appearance reportedly violated the league’s COVID-19 protocols, but the league declined to suspend or isolate James for the violation.
Since the appearance, James has played in the game against the Warriors and in Sunday’s playoff Game 1 loss to the Phoenix Suns. His availability has prompted criticism of a double standard for the Lakers star during the playoffs where other players have been forced to sit for protocol violations.
For instance, Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. was fined $50,000 and forced to miss time in the league’s health and safety protocols after a reported trip to a strip club in April.
NBA’s explanation for lack of LeBron suspension
On Monday, NBA spokesman Mike Bass issued a statement explaining that James’ appearance didn’t create a health risk that required quarantine.
“To clarify any remaining misconception, LeBron James briefly attended an outdoor event last week where participants were required to be vaccinated or return a negative test result,” the statement reads. “Under these circumstances and in consultation with medical experts, it was determined that his attendance did not create risks related to the spread of COVID-19 and therefore no quarantine was necessary.”
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