Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James could miss as many as two weeks with a strained left groin, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak until the team made an announcement.
‘I’ve been there before, and I know what type of injury you’re dealing with,’ James told reporters.
In 2018, James tore his groin and missed about a month – 17 games total. ‘No, it’s not as bad as that,’ James said.
The Lakers are 40-22 and in third place in the Western Conference, a ½ game behind the second-place Denver Nuggets (41-22), 1½ games ahead of the fourth-place Memphis Grizzlies and two games ahead of the fifth-place Houston Rockets.
What does LeBron James’ injury mean for Lakers?
This is a tough injury for James and the Lakers at this point in the season – the Lakers have 20 games remaining and are battling for the No. 2 seed. They have played well the past two months, going 20-5 and moving up from seventh place since Jan. 14.
The injury also interrupts the Lakers’ attempt to develop more chemistry with Luka Doncic, who the Lakers acquired from the Dallas Mavericks just before the trade deadline. James and Doncic (34 points, eight rebounds against Boston) have played well together. Doncic has played well for the Lakers but there is room for him to play better, especially with his shot. The Lakers will rely even more on Doncic with James sidelined.
Who will get more playing time with LeBron James out?
The Lakers were also without Rui Hachimura (left knee injury) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee) against the Celtics. Rookie Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent will get more minutes, and the Lakers will try to get more scoring from Dorian Finney-Smith. Hachimura is out at least another week, and he had played well alongside Doncic.
What is rest of Lakers schedule?
The Lakers have the sixth-toughest remaining schedule, according to tankathon.com. They play Oklahoma City twice, Denver twice, Milwaukee twice, Houston twice and Memphis and Golden State once each.