Image Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

LeBron James Injury Update: How Long Is the Lakers’ Superstar Expected To Be Sidelined?

Image Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers’ last home game of the regular season was packed to full house, with all eyes focused on the LeBron-Luka partnership that has started picking up pace at the right time of the season. However, Lakers fans were dealt a major blow after LeBron James, visibly uncomfortable, left the game in the third quarter due to a groin injury.

With a commanding lead and early domination, the Los Angeles Lakers on the court were unshaken by the injury scare as they continued their momentum. Led by Luka Doncic’s resurgence in form, the 17-time NBA champions put up a display against second-seed Houston Rockets, registering a 140-109 win on Friday at the Crypto.com Arena.

LeBron James Injury – What Happened to LeBron James?

In the 5th minute of the third quarter, Austin Reaves threw a loose ball in the direction of LeBron James. While trying to get the ball, the 40-year-old’s feet barely moved, indicating that the recurrent groin, knee problems could be back. LeBron James looked uncomfortable and in pain, which led him to sit the rest of the game out.

LeBron James re-aggravated his groin that he hurt before this, this is a terrible sign for the Lakers ❌ pic.twitter.com/9Rin5RrkaJ
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) April 12, 2025

Even during his time on the sidelines, the point forward held his groin, which suggested a deeper injury. LeBron James has previously struggled with similar groin injuries. In fact, King James missed several weeks of action in March due to a similar knee injury. Now, with the Los Angeles Lakers having confirmed a playoff berth, the groin issue couldn’t have come at a worse time. James did not enter the court again for the rest of the match and ended the Houston clash with 14 points, 4 rebounds in 22 minutes.

The Lakers management has denied any serious injury to LeBron James. Head coach JJ Redick, while speaking in the post-match press conference, confirmed that the Lakers’ star player was fine. Despite the early scare, LeBron James actually looked fine in the fourth quarter on the sidelines.

Austin Reaves’ tough layup in the final quarter saw LeBron James rush to the courtside to celebrate. And if that wasn’t enough to prove that LeBron was fine, the 40-year-old did a moon walk while going back to the bench. He also looked comfortable when walking back to the dressing room after the end of the game.

What’s Next for the Lakers?

It is highly likely that LeBron James will sit out the Los Angeles Lakers’ final game of the regular season against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday. And with a weeklong break, thanks to the Play-In tournament, James will get a much-needed breather before the start of a hectic playoffs campaign.

With a third seed almost confirmed, chances of the Lakers facing the Golden State Warriors, LA Clippers, or Minnesota Timberwolves remain high. The fate of the 4- 8th seeds of the Western Conference still lies in uncertainty with the final match day of the regular season approaching.

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