Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Considered Day to Day Pending MRI on Groin Injury

LeBron James is set to undergo an MRI on the strained left groin he suffered in the Los Angeles Lakers' 127-101 win over the Golden State Warriors on Christmas night, though early indications are that the injury isn't serious.

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.com: "The initial feeling is positive, with James 'in good spirits' in the locker room afterward and a source telling ESPN's Dave McMenamin that the All-Star's timeline for recovery is considered day to day, pending the MRI results."

Injuries have never been a major storyline for James, and he hasn't missed more than 13 games in a season. In 2017-18, the 33-year-old played in all 82 regular-season contests for the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 36.9 minutes per outing and once again proving his remarkable durability. 

So Tuesday's injury was a concern for the Lakers after James said he "overextended" when he slipped on the offensive end and "overextended" it once again after he got back on defense. He also told the medical staff he "felt a pop."

"The good thing is the muscle is intact," James told McMenamin after the game. "With me with injuries, I am never too concerned about them. 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."

James also noted he didn't have a timeline for his return.

"I don't know," he said about potentially missing 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 four-time MVP is having another vintage season, averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game while leading the young Lakers to a 20-14 record. If he's forced to miss time, Kyle Kuzma (18.1 ppg) and Brandon Ingram (15.5 ppg) will have to take the scoring load, while the Lakers have solid playmakers in Lonzo Ball and Rajon Rondo. 

Guys like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Josh Hart and Lance Stephenson would see expanded roles as well. But James hopes it's a minor setback.

"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."