The Los Angeles Lakers and their medical staff made the decision for LeBron James. The team ended LeBron’s season on Saturday.
The superstar had been dealing with a groin injury, a slight tear in his left groin, since Christmas Day. The issue held him out of 17 consecutive games, the longest streak James had ever missed with an injury. With next season in mind, the Lakers want LeBron to heal — and, in turn, they want him off the court.
“He wants to play,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said on Sunday, via ESPN. “My understanding from the medical staff, they finally said, ‘Look, it’s just not worth it anymore. Let’s make sure you have a healthy summer.’ So that’s the decision that was made, and we’ll move forward without him on the floor for the final six.”
LeBron, 34, will continue to travel with the team to provide leadership and build team chemistry for the remainder of the season.
Individually, his season was a successful one, even if the Lakers missed the playoffs and may not top 40 wins. In 55 games, LeBron put up 27.4 points per game, his second highest average since the 2009-10 season. He also averaged 8.5 rebounds per game, the third highest total in his career. And he had 8.3 assists per game, his fourth-highest total of his career.
There’s one obvious oddity as it pertains to Los Angeles’ decision. The Lakers were officially out of the playoff hunt after a loss on March 22, yet LeBron played in three of the games that followed and averaged 33 minutes in those technically meaningless appearances. Walton was asked why he and his staff didn’t end James’ season when Lakers knew they were out of the playoffs.
“Eventually, as that time goes on and on, it’s easier to tell someone like that, ‘Let’s take care of your health right now,'” Walton said, via ESPN.
It’s a bit of a cryptic answer that raises more questions. Were the Lakers trying to shut down LeBron sooner? Were the Lakers struggling to convince LeBron to stop playing? Were they uncomfortable broaching the issue sooner with their superstar?
Whatever the reason for the delay, James’ season is done. His streak of eight consecutive NBA Finals appearances is also concluded. And the NBA playoffs won’t feel the same without him. His ability to thrive in the playoff drama, no matter the caliber of his teammates, has long been one of the most fun part of viewing the playoffs.
