OAKLAND, Calif. — LeBron James underwent an MRI that confirmed the Los Angeles Lakers All-Star has a strained left groin, a source confirmed to The Undefeated’s Marc Spears.
The Athletic first reported James’ test results.
James tweeted his relief and hope that he will be on the court soon. The Lakers, who play at Sacramento on Thursday. A source told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on Tuesday night that James was considered day-to-day pending the MRI results.
Dodged a bullet! Sheesh. 🙏🏾 to the almighty above! #BackInNoTime
— LeBron James (@KingJames) December 26, 2018
The initial feeling in the Lakers locker room was positive and optimistic after James suffered the injury during the third quarter of a 127-101 win over Golden State on Tuesday. James told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin after the game that “the good thing is the muscle is intact.”
James suffered the injury when he said he “overextended” his groin as his right leg slipped while Draymond Green poked the ball away from him. James said he “overextended” the injury further when he went back on defense right after that. When play went back down the other side of the court, James didn’t attempt to follow his teammates and remained close to the Lakers bench. James then told the Lakers medical and coaching staff that he felt “a pop.”
“With me, with injuries, I am never too concerned about them,” said James, who had an electric stim device attached to his hip before he and the Lakers flew back to Los Angeles on Tuesday night. “I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt a pop and see if I could stretch it a few times and see if it will relieve but it didn’t.” “I don’t know,” James later added when asked if he expects to miss time. “See what the MRI says and see how I feel for the rest of the day today and I will be all around the clock tomorrow on rehabbing and we will see how I feel on Thursday when we go to [Sacramento].”
The Lakers (20-14) have yet to play a game without their franchise star. James has played in 116 consecutive regular-season games, one shy of his personal best, and 156 straight regular-season and postseason games.
Kyle Kuzma and Brandon Ingram will have to pick up the scoring load and the Lakers will look more toward the veteran leadership of Rajon Rondo if James misses time. James is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists this season.
“I take a lot of pride in [staying healthy] so that is why it pissed me off not being able to go back into the game,” James said. “It’s more than anything being available to my teammates, to my coaching staff, that is something I take more personal than anything. Hopefully it is not a long thing and I can get back on the floor as soon as possible.”