LeBron James is not overly worried about the groin strain he sustained during the Los Angeles Lakers’ 111-101 defeat to the Boston Celtics. After leaving the game with just over six minutes remaining, he indicated he’s approaching his recovery on a day-to-day basis, reiterating that the injury’s severity appears to be less than previous incidents.
James finished the game with impressive stats: 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, but he needed to leave the court after contesting a layup, limping back to the huddle before heading to the locker room with the support of trainers. Reflecting on his past, James recalled a similar injury from his inaugural season with the Lakers in 2018, which caused him to miss 17 games. However, he expressed optimism that this time around, the injury might not be as serious.
Drawing comparisons to his former teammate Anthony Davis, who recently suffered a groin injury, James acknowledged the challenges of such setbacks in the game. Despite the uncertainty regarding his return, James remains confident that his teammates can carry on effectively during his absence. The Lakers, currently positioned third in the Western Conference with a record of 40-22, are set to continue their road trip with a game against the Brooklyn Nets, followed by tough games against the Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets.
James emphasised that the team must focus on maintaining their performance regardless of the lineup changes, noting that injuries have been a consistent issue throughout the season. “It doesn’t matter who’s in the lineup, we have to play our game,” he stated, reinforcing the idea that unity and adaptability will be key as they navigate this challenging phase of the season.