Lakers' LeBron James Talks Status Amid Groin, Hip Injuries, Says He'll Play in Game 3

If LeBron James is playing through injuries in the playoffs, he's making sure no one knows anything about it.

Asked by reporters about his groin and hip issues, James would only say "I'm available today" as the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to play Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

James suffered a strained groin in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' loss to the Boston Celtics on March 8. He wound up missing the next seven games before returning to the lineup on March 22.

There was concern that James aggravated his groin or hip in a 140-109 win over the Houston Rockets on April 11. He was removed midway through the third quarter and appeared to be favoring his left side.

Even though James didn't return to the game, head coach JJ Redick said afterward his star forward was "fine." Dan Woike of the Los Angeles Times added the Lakers people he spoke with afterward weren't concerned about any injury issue.

In a video recorded by ESPN's Dave McMenamin, James was seen wearing a sleeve on his left leg during Lakers practice on April 16.

The Lakers officially listed James as probable on their injury report prior to Game 1 against the Timberwolves. He was off the injury report for Game 2.

James hasn't played up to his usual standards thus far in the series. The future Hall of Famer is averaging 20.0 points on 43.2 percent shooting (16-of-37 overall; 2-of-10 from three-point range), 8.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.0 turnovers per game.

This continues a trend that was going on in the regular season after James returned from the initial injury. He shot 48.7 percent overall in his final 12 games, including a 32.7 percent success rate from behind the arc.

Prior to the injury, James was shooting 51.7 percent from the field and 38.4 percent from three in 58 starts.

If this is the version of James that the Lakers are going to get throughout the postseason, they may have a tough time winning games. Their formula for success was built around James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves being an unstoppable offensive trio.

Los Angeles has only scored 189 points in two games against the Timberwolves. The series is tied 1-1 because Minnesota's offense was abysmal in Game 2, scoring just 85 points on 38.0 percent shooting.

The Lakers and Timberwolves will play Game 3 at Target Center on Friday night at 9:30 p.m. ET.