With five days off between games, LeBron James was feeling pretty good physically heading into Wednesday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Then in the first quarter, Clippers guard Patrick Beverley kneed James in the groin as they collided, leaving the Los Angeles Lakers star crumpled on the court.
"I got kneed in the groin taking a charge from Pat Bev, and it kinda set me right back to where I was five days ago," James said.
The Lakers have had good luck with injuries so far this season, but might be hitting a rough patch now. Anthony Davis and James have missed games recently, and James is apparently dealing with two injuries.
The Lakers have him listed on the injury report as having a strain in his back's thoracic muscle. James also said postgame that he has been dealing with a groin injury, which is different from the torn left groin he sustained last year on Christmas. Last year's injury kept him out for five weeks, and James later said he didn't feel truly recovered from it until the offseason. His latest groin injury is on the other side of his body, and it's unclear how it will affect his availability.
"To be honest, I haven't even thought about Portland just yet," James said on Wednesday night. "I'm always around the clock with my body, getting my treatment. If I'm feeling great, I'll be in the lineup. If I'm feeling well I'll be in the lineup. But like I said, we'll see what happens."
James plans to travel with the team to Portland on Friday, according to a person familiar with his plans. But adding to James' medical consideration is that the Lakers have back-to-back games this weekend. They'll play in Portland on Saturday and at home against Dallas on Sunday.
