The Los Angeles Lakers were dealt a massive blow over the weekend as LeBron James picked up a groin strain during their loss to the Boston Celtics. James has been sidelined for an indefinite period, which many are speculating will be a few weeks although he’s officially said his status will be ‘game-to-game’ based on his health.
LeBron’s agent and childhood friend, CEO of Klutch Sports Rich Paul appeared on Pat McAfee’s show and revealed that James will decide in conjunction with his trainers when he wants to return due to no one being more in tune with his health than James himself.
“You have to manage it. You see reports out there and you’re able to pay attention to LeBron’s post-game interview. He knows his body better than anyone, so you’ve got to follow him there. He’s played a lot of basketball. All these guys who played the Olympics across our league. So, there’s a lot of basketball played for the older guys. With this type of injury, you have to manage it properly.”
“Unfortunately, AD had the same thing. A little bit different… You have to manage it with grace. The Lakers got a tough schedule coming up. They got six games in eight nights to something like that, and they play some pretty top-heavy teams. They have the sixth-most difficult schedule to finish the season out.
“They’ve got a lot of work to do regardless of him being there or not. But you’ve got to handle it with grace. I won’t put a timetable on it. I’ll let LeBron decide what needs to be done there. He’s got a great trainer and medical staff at the Lakers. I’ll be in lockstep with those guys.”
James is averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists this season. He’s coming off being named Player of the Month for the West in February 2025, winning the honor 21 years after he was first awarded it in 2004. He averaged 29.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 6.9 assists in the month on 35.2 minutes per game, which probably led up to James picking up the groin strain against the Celtics.
The Lakers already lost their first game without James to the tanking Brooklyn Nets, as new franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic still tries to find his offensive rhythm with the team. While his on-court impact is evident, he needs to find his scoring touch once again to help lead the Lakers right now.
The frontcourt for the franchise has been heavily weakened, as James joins Rui Hachimura on the injury list while Jaxson Hayes remains the only playable center on the team. They started Dalton Knecht and Gabe Vincent as their small and power forward duo in their loss to the Nets, showing the major roster limitations they’re faced with.
The Lakers have a 40-23 record this season, good enough for the No. 3 seed in the East. They looked on pace to secure the No. 2 seed with their performances in February, but James’ injury is likely going to slow them down. The Lakers forward wants to be viewed as a day-to-day injury, but fans and the team will be anxiously waiting for the 40-year-old to give the all-clear on his return sometime this month.
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