LeBron: NBA's COVID-19 testing process 'handled very poorly'

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James took issue with how the NBA's COVID-19 testing process resulted in him missing Tuesday's game against the Sacramento Kings.

James initially tested negative before a follow-up positive test forced him to enter the league's health and safety protocols. He was eventually cleared to rejoin the Lakers on Thursday after testing negative twice within a 24-hour window.

"I knew I was going to get cleared because I never, ever felt sick at all," James said after Friday's 119-115 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, courtesy of ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "I just thought it was just handled very poorly.

"Usually when you have a positive test, they'll test you right away to make sure. There was not a follow-up test after my positive test. It was straight to isolation and 'You've been put into protocol.' That's the part that kind of angered me. I had to figure out a way to get home from Sacramento by myself. They wouldn't allow anyone to travel with me - no security, no anything - when I traveled back from Sacramento."

James also said he was upset by the inconvenience caused by placing his children and people from his household into isolation.

Anthony Davis echoed his 36-year-old star teammate's frustrations.

"It's just tough when you're in and out of the lineup, especially when you, I guess, don't really have a reason to be out," Davis said. "We were playing well. So it's just frustrating a little bit, but no one is feeling sorry for us. We're not feeling sorry for ourselves. We got to go out there and play basketball games with whoever is available."

Friday's loss dropped the Lakers to 12-12 on the season.