LeBron James Sidelined: Lakers Star Could Miss Weeks with Groin Injury

In a significant blow to the Los Angeles Lakers' championship aspirations, superstar forward LeBron James could be sidelined for "a matter of weeks" after sustaining a groin injury during Saturday's 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

The 40-year-old future Hall of Famer exited the game midway through the fourth quarter and was officially ruled out for the remainder of the contest with what the team described as a groin strain. Prior to the injury, James had been on pace for a triple-double, recording 22 points, 14 rebounds, and 9 assists in 35 minutes of action.

Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed concern over the injury in his postgame comments, while James himself addressed the situation with reporters following the game. While detailed information about the severity of the strain remains limited, initial reports suggest a potential multi-week absence.

This setback comes during what has otherwise been a remarkably healthy season for James, who has appeared in 58 of the Lakers' 62 games this campaign. Though he did miss the All-Star Game in February due to a foot issue—his first absence from the exhibition in his storied career—James has largely avoided extended time on the sidelines this season.

The injury raises questions about the Lakers' immediate future as they continue to build chemistry between James and fellow superstar Luka Dončić. Despite their overlapping skill sets, the duo's partnership is critical to the team's title hopes as they remain firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture.

James' durability has become a more pressing concern during his Lakers tenure, with the four-time MVP missing significant time in multiple seasons since joining the franchise in 2018. This represents a stark contrast to his earlier career, where he rarely missed games and never appeared in fewer than 62 contests in any season prior to arriving in Los Angeles.

Nevertheless, when healthy, James continues to perform at an elite level despite his advanced age, averaging an impressive 25.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 8.5 assists this season.

The Lakers will now face the challenge of maintaining their playoff positioning while their cornerstone player recovers, with the team's depth and Dončić's leadership abilities set to be tested in James' absence.