Lakers Situation Could Go From Bad To Worse After LeBron James Undergoes Tests On Injured Groin

Getty Image


Just when it appeared the Los Angeles Lakers had finally hit rock bottom in the 20222-23 NBA season, things have somehow gotten even worse.

A shocking blowout loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night sent LA’s record tumbling to 2-8 and had fans all over general manager Rob Pelinka. But as it turns out, that was just another day in what has become a nightmare season for the Lakers before it even kicks into high gear.

Injury To LeBron James Could Make Lakers Season Even Worse

The Lakers faced the crosstown rival Clippers on Wednesday night in what already felt like a must-win game. Not only did they not win that game, but superstar LeBron James left the game early due to a groin injury. James suffered the injury midway through the fourth quarter while posting up Clippers’ star Paul George.

“I didn’t do anything extraneous on the play,” he said of the play. “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.”

The 37-year-old suffered a similar injury in 2017-18 that cost him 17 games. Though he said he believes the current injury is “not as bad.”

The Lakers hope to confirm that belief on Thursday when James undergoes medical testing and imaging. First-year head coach Darvin Ham said after the contest that he told James to just “do what you need to do, just take care of your body.”

“I mean it’s just a lot of adversity,” Ham said. “He 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.”

The Lakers currently have the second-worst record in the NBA. But the New Orleans Pelicans hold the right to swap draft picks after the 2019 trade involving Anthony Davis.