LeBron James Could Miss Up to Two Weeks with Groin Strain, Lakers Face Challenges Ahead
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to be sidelined for up to two weeks due to a strained left groin, according to a source familiar with the situation. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed the timeline ahead of an official announcement from the team.
James sustained the injury during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Before exiting the game with 6:44 remaining, he had tallied 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.
Reflecting on the injury, James told reporters, “I’ve been there before, and I know what type of injury you’re dealing with.” He referenced a previous groin tear in 2018 that sidelined him for 17 games but reassured that this injury is not as severe. “No, it’s not as bad as that,” he said.
The Lakers, currently 40-22 and sitting in third place in the Western Conference, are in a tight race for playoff positioning. They trail the second-place Denver Nuggets (41-22) by half a game and hold a 1.5-game lead over the fourth-place Memphis Grizzlies. With only 20 games left in the regular season, James’ absence comes at a critical juncture.
Impact on the Lakers’ Playoff Push
James’ injury is a significant blow to the Lakers, who have been surging in recent months. Since January 14, the team has gone 20-5, climbing from seventh to third in the standings. The Lakers are now fighting to secure the No. 2 seed in the West, but James’ absence could complicate their efforts.
The injury also disrupts the team’s ongoing efforts to build chemistry with newly acquired Luka Doncic, who joined the Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks just before the trade deadline. Doncic, who scored 34 points and grabbed eight rebounds against the Celtics, has shown promise alongside James. However, with James out, the Lakers will need Doncic to elevate his game further, particularly in his shooting efficiency.
Who Steps Up in James’ Absence?
With James sidelined, the Lakers will need other players to step up. The team was already short-handed against the Celtics, missing Rui Hachimura (left knee injury) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee). Rookie Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent are expected to see increased playing time, while Dorian Finney-Smith will be relied upon for additional scoring. Hachimura, who has been effective alongside Doncic, is expected to miss at least another week.
Tough Schedule Ahead
The Lakers face a challenging stretch to close out the season. According to tankathon.com, they have the sixth-toughest remaining schedule in the league. Key matchups include two games each against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Houston Rockets, as well as single games against the Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors.
As the Lakers navigate this critical period without their leader, the team’s depth and resilience will be put to the test. How they perform in James’ absence could determine their playoff seeding and postseason prospects.
