Lakers star forward LeBron James is day-to-day with a left adductor strain and is doubtful to play in Friday’s home game vs. the Kings, as relayed by Shams Charania of The Athletic.
James, 37, was forced to exit Wednesday’s loss to the Clippers with what appeared to be an injured groin. The team described it as leg soreness.
He limped off the court with just less than 6 minutes left in the fourth quarter after he attempted to post up Clippers forward Paul George.
Per Charania, James could sit out both Friday and for Sunday’s game vs. Kevin Durant and the Nets — giving James eight days off before the Lakers face the Pistons.
“I didn’t do anything extraneous on the play,” James said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Just when I landed, I felt a little spasm or strain in my groin. So immediately I had to come out after that on the next play down when I went to the free throw line.”
Even with James (2-9), the Lakers have lost four straight and have struggled mightily out of the gate.
“I mean it’s just a lot of adversity,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “[James] has been trying his heart out just to be there for us and play at a high level. I thought he had it going really, really well tonight. But it just is something that it’s the NBA season, man. You got to be ready for a little bit of everything. We’ll see once he gets evaluated, and we’ll be ready to move forward.”
Power forward Anthony Davis told reporters he is prepared to take on more of the load in the event that James can’t go. James has already missed one game with foot soreness.
“For me, the mindset switches to just going out, being aggressive and trying to find ways to help the team win — whether it’s more shots or know it’s my job to make these guys better,” Davis said. “But it’s heightened when someone like LeBron is out with everything he can do on the floor.”
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