LeBron James is very likely to miss Sunday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets as the Los Angeles Lakers star is listed as doubtful with a thoracic muscle strain. But as always with LeBron James, there is more than meets the eye. In this case, it’s doesn’t sound alarming but it also doesn’t sound encouraging.
In addition to the strain LeBron is dealing with, he also has a “nagging groin issue,” according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, something Lakers fans obviously have a little PTSD from considering last Christmas.
Earlier this week, James said he didn’t plan to miss any games this season for rest. James has also been dealing with a nagging groin issue recently, sources said. Last season a groin strain on Christmas Day derailed James and the Lakers’ season.
LeBron has frequently stated that he’s healthy this year and that after he came back to play some games to help the Lakers make a push to the playoffs, the reality of the Lakers injury toll and the weight of the Anthony Davis saga sank their season. The Lakers are being cautious with their star player and while it doesn’t sound like LeBron’s groin issue is serious, the Lakers and James both know that The King is a little bit more vulnerable as he nears 35.
Provided he sits out of Sunday’s game as expected, James will have had six days between games before L.A.’s Christmas Day showdown with the neighboring Clippers. James will also have the benefit of sleeping in his own bed for quite a while. The Lakers play only one road game between now and Jan. 7, a short trip to Portland on Saturday, Dec. 28.
