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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 21, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 29: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Philadelphia 76ers on January 21, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

LeBron James to Return from Groin Injury Thursday vs. Clippers

Joseph ZuckerJan 31, 2019

LeBron James will return to the Los Angeles Lakers' lineup for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers, according to hisย team.

Yahoo Sports'ย Chris Haynesย originally reported the news.

James hasn't played since the Lakers' Christmas Day win over the Golden State Warriors, as he's beenย dealing with a groin strain.

The Lakers have struggled mightily in James' absence. According toย NBA.com, they've had a 3.2 net rating with the four-time MVP on the court. Their net rating is minus-2.8 without him.

His injury presented a chance for Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart to show they deserve to be foundational pieces. None of them has capitalized on the opportunity, and Ball is out with aย sprained ankle.

After beating the Warriors, Los Angeles sat fourth in the Western Conference at 20-14. Since then, the Lakers have dropped 11 of their last 17 games and are ninth in the West, two games back of the Los Angeles Clippers.

L.A. still has more than enough time to catch the Clippers, but simply reaching the playoffs won't be considered a success in James' first year. The Lakers will want to make a push for a top-four seed.

With James healthy, Los Angeles might have a shot at overtaking the Portland Trail Blazers, who are 5.5 games up in the standings.

J-Dub Exits on Stretcher