Lebron James Set To Miss Multiple Games With ‘Significant’ Injury

The LA Lakers have been dealt a blow with Lebron James’ groin injury considered ‘significant’.

ESPN’s Brian Windhorst and Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the team is preparing for James to miss ‘several games’ as he recovers from the injury he suffered against the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers did get good news with an MRI cleared James of a serious injury, but it appears to be significant enough that the four-time MVP won’t rush his way back into things.

James’ has never had to navigate this severe of a groin injury and still needs to gain an understanding of how his body will respond to treatment. The king has displayed a tremendous capacity throughout his career to avoid extended absences with injury, but sources expected the Lakers and James will be careful not to risk further aggravation of the groin by returning too quickly.

James, who left the Lakers’ victory over Golden State on Tuesday with the groin injury, had played 116 consecutive regular-season games; that number jumps to 156 when postseason games are included.

James, 33, is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists this season. He will miss Thursday night’s game at Sacramento; Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma are expected to take on a bigger offensive burden in James’ absence.

The Lakers picked up that win over the Warriors, moving to 20-14 on the season, which is good for fourth in the Western Conference.

“Our team is much better now than we were to start the season,” Lakers head coach Luke Walton said after his team’s win over the Warriors.

“So, it will get a lot more challenging for us if he misses some real time, but I’m also very confident in our group that they’ll continue to step up and battle.”