LeBron: 'I ain't playing' in arena that's empty due to virus concerns

The NBA league office told teams in a memo this week to prepare for the possibility of playing games without fans in attendance due to coronavirus concerns, and the notion of playing in front of 19,000 empty seats doesn't sit well with LeBron James.

"Nah, that's impossible," the Lakers point forward told reporters after a 113-103 win over the visiting Milwaukee Bucks on Friday. "I ain't playing. If I ain't got the fans in the crowd - that's what I play for. I play for my teammates and I play for the fans. That's what it's all about. If I show up to an arena, and there ain't no fans there? I ain't playing. So, they could do what they want to do."

The Los Angeles Lakers announced a crowd of 18,997 on hand to watch the team's postseason-clinching victory on Friday.

Los Angeles County had confirmed 13 cases of the new coronavirus as of Friday, according to the Los Angeles Times.

"Shit, I ain't ever play a game without no fans," James added. "Ever, since I started playing ball."