LeBron James on Tuesday backtracked from a threat not to play if the NBA decides to force teams to stage games behind closed doors as the league grapples with the coronavirus threat. Speaking to reporters on Friday, the Los Angeles Lakers star said he would refuse to play if the league bars fans from venues as part of efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. "When I was asked the question, I had no idea it was actually a conversation going on behind closed doors about the virus," James said.