LeBron James is doubtful to play Friday against the Sacramento Kings with what the Lakers are calling a “strained left adductor.” While he’s day to day, he easily could miss Sunday’s game against Brooklyn as well.
James, who suffered the injury during the fourth quarter in a loss to the Clippers on Wednesday night, underwent an MRI exam Thursday that revealed no tearing in or near his groin muscle.
“It’s not torn, that’s the biggest thing, that he didn’t tear anything,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “So it was good news. You know, I’m sure it’s painful. Doubtful, day to day, whatever — I’m just happy there wasn’t anything torn.”
James missed 17 games after straining his left groin in his first season with the Lakers, later saying it was partially torn and that he played through lingering effects upon his return.
He said Wednesday the injury didn’t feel as bad as that one in 2018.
“I didn’t do anything extraneous on the play,” he said postgame Wednesday. “Just when I landed, I felt a little spasm or strain in my groin.”
After the Lakers play Sacramento and Brooklyn, they have four days before hosting Detroit the following Friday. If James misses both games this weekend, he’d have eight days of rest before the Pistons game.
James missed just one of the Lakers’ first 11 games this season, sitting out Monday in a loss to the Utah Jazz with foot soreness.
Starting wing Troy Brown Jr. said the team can take some offensive lessons from that game if James misses significant time.
“I would just say our pace was faster a little bit,” Brown said. “We were going more so to [Anthony Davis] in the post a little bit so being able to play off those cuts.”
Ham said the Lakers would continue to bring Russell Westbrook off the bench if James is ruled out.
“I’ve said it time and time again. I love what he’s bringing, coming off with that second unit and giving us a boost when needed,” Ham said. “Just him being able to orchestrate and be Russ. Dominate the ball. Dominate the pace. And play free.”
