Lakers Rumors: LeBron James Could Miss Games With Injury As LA Tries To Stay Atop West Standings

Christmas Day didn’t go as the Los Angeles Lakers had hoped. The team’s losing streak reached four games with a 111-106 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers, and LeBron James aggravated a groin injury that has been bothering him.

A collision with Patrick Beverley sent James to the ground in pain early in the game. The superstar didn’t leave the contest, but there’s a chance it will keep him out of games on the Lakers’ upcoming schedule.

“I felt healthy going into the game,” James told reporters after Wednesday’s loss. “I got kneed in the groin taking a charge from Pat Bev, and it kind of set me right back to where I was five days ago.”

James missed his first game of the season because of where he was five days ago. He sat out Sunday’s matchup against the Denver Nuggets with groin discomfort and a thoracic muscle strain. The Lakers lost 128-104.

Sources have told ESPN that several members of the organization have approached James about resting until his groin injury is completely recovered. James has been outspoken about his hope to play as many regular-season games as possible.

James suffered a torn left groin on Christmas 2018 that limited him to a career-low 55 games. His current right groin injury isn’t as serious, though it seemed to slow him down against the Clippers as he went 9-24 from the field.

The Lakers will visit the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night before hosting the Dallas Mavericks Sunday night. From Jan. 1-7, the Lakers have a game at Staples Center every other night. L.A. is set to face a team with a losing record in all four of those contests.

The Lakers still have the best record in the Western Conference, leading the Clippers by two games. Los Angeles is four games ahead of the No.5 seed Mavericks.