Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James violated the NBA’s health and safety protocols when he attended a promotional event this week, but won’t be suspended for any of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN.
The event, an outdoor photo shoot for a tequila brand James has an interest in, came before Wednesday’s 103-100 win over the Golden State Warriors in a play-in game.
Attendees for the promotion, which included rapper Drake and actor Michael B Jordan, had to either show proof of vaccination or a recent negative test. It wasn’t clear which James provided.
James has declined to discuss his vaccination status publicly.
“It’s a violation of the agreed upon protocols, and, as we have in other comparable instances around the league, it has been addressed with the team,” said a league spokesperson, per ESPN’s report.
Failure to comply with the health and safety protocols can result in a warning, fine or suspension. James, however, won’t be suspended as the nature of the event didn’t rise to a threat level of virus spread, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Lakers, the No 7 seed, are gearing up for Sunday’s Game 1 of their first-round series against second-seeded Phoenix after being forced to qualify for the postseason through the play-in tournament following a late-season swoon.
James, 36, recently returned to the lineup after missing 26 of 28 games with a right ankle sprain. He has helped the team stretch its winning streak to six games.
In 45 games this season, James, a four-time NBA Most Valuable Player, averaged 25.0 points, 7.8 assists and 7.7 rebounds.
