LeBron James Sidelined: Lakers Face Crucial Stretch Without Their Star

LeBron James Sidelined

Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is expected to miss one to two weeks due to a strained left

groin, according to sources. The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of the Lakers’ 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics on Saturday. Before exiting, James recorded 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.

James, who previously suffered a groin tear in 2018 that sidelined him for 17 games, reassured reporters that this injury is not as severe. “I’ve been there before, and I know what type of injury you’re dealing with,” he said.

The Lakers, currently third in the Western Conference with a 40-22 record, are in a tight playoff race. They trail the second-place Denver Nuggets by half a game and lead the fourth-place Memphis Grizzlies by just 1.5 games. With 20 games left in the season, James’ absence could impact their push for the No. 2 seed.

The Lakers have been in strong form, going 20-5 since January 14, but James' injury disrupts their efforts to build chemistry with Luka Doncic, who was acquired from the Dallas Mavericks before the trade deadline. Doncic, who scored 34 points against Boston, is expected to take on an even larger role in James' absence.

Additionally, the Lakers are dealing with other injuries. Rui Hachimura (left knee) and Jaxson Hayes (bruised right knee) were also unavailable against Boston. Rookie Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent are expected to see increased minutes, while Dorian Finney-Smith will be relied upon for additional scoring.

The Lakers face a challenging schedule ahead, playing Oklahoma City, Denver, Milwaukee, Houston, Memphis, and Golden State in their remaining games. With James sidelined, the team will need to step up to maintain their playoff position and secure a favorable seed in the Western Conference.