LeBron injures groin in Lakers’ rout of Warriors
LeBron James slips and strains his left groin, forcing him to come out of the game. (0:36)
OAKLAND, Calif. — LeBron James hobbled off into the locker room in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers‘ 127-101 victory Tuesday over the Golden State Warriors with a strained left groin and did not return.
James’ timeline for recovery was considered day-to-day with an MRI that will give a clearer picture of the extent of the injury set for Wednesday. The Lakers were scheduled to fly back to Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
James, 33, appeared to suffer the injury as he dribbled into the paint and his right leg slipped from underneath him, leaving James having to pass the ball out to a teammate from an awkward position on the floor.
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James then grabbed his groin and hip area before getting up. He was able to get back on defense before stopping and not trying to go down the floor when play headed to the other side. He grimaced repeatedly in pain.
“With injuries, I’m never too concerned with them,” James said. “I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt a pop and see if I could stretch it a few times to see if it would relieve but it didn’t.”
James, who wore an electronic stimulation device after the game, said he was reacting after Warriors forward Draymond Green got his hand on the ball.
“Just overextended my groin I guess,” James said. “Then I felt it coming down the court. Overextended it again back on defense. Just an unfortunate play.”
James made his way to the sideline and tried to stretch it out, but he eventually left the floor for the locker room, limping as he walked to the tunnel.
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“The good thing is the muscle is intact,” James said.
James left the Christmas Day marquee game with the Lakers up 71-57 with 7 minutes, 51 seconds remaining in the third quarter. He was having his way with the Warriors at times during the first half and departed with 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists.
Any long-term injury to James would be devastating to the Lakers (20-14). James came into Tuesday averaging 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists while playing in every game this season. He has played in 116 consecutive regular-season games and 156 straight regular-season and postseason games.
Information from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin was used in this report.