LeBron James ‘s brilliant night for the Lakers was cut short when he had to hobble off court following a groin injury in the 3rd quarter.
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LeBron went into the locker room following the injury, while telling the Lakers bench that he felt something pop.
James did not quite return to the court post that, but the Lakers still managed to thrash the Warriors 127-101 at the Oracle Arena.
The incident happened when LeBron tried to go for a loose ball, but then ended up holding his groin, asking for a time out during the next possession.
LeBron James (groin) is headed to the locker room pic.twitter.com/nQMlgGGb0W
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 26, 2018
It’s just 1 game. A regular-season game at that. But it’s important to say: The @Lakers are WAXING the @Warriors. I mean kicking their you-know-what. WithOUT @KingJames in the floor, and against @KDTrey5, @StephenCurry30 who are playing.#Damn!
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) December 26, 2018
LeBron James: ‘I felt it pop’
He went back to the locker room with an apparent groin injury pic.twitter.com/hrBu1PwbiP
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) December 26, 2018
According to reports, the groin injury isn’t a massive one, with LeBron to have an MRI tomorrow, following which a final decision on his participation for the coming games will be taken.
Yahoo Sources: An initial exam on LeBron James reveals all is intact and that it’s a slight groin strain. It could have been worse.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) December 26, 2018
Post the emphatic win, LeBron spoke to the media about the injury and how he wasn’t really concerned about it. He explained that he had overextended his groin and wanted to see if everything was intact(which according to him was).
“Just overextended my groin I guess,” James said as quoted by ESPN
“Then I felt it coming down the court. Overextended it again back on defense. Just an unfortunate play.” he added.
James confirmed that because he was able to walk off the court on his own, he knew it wasn’t going to be long term injury.
“With injuries, I’m never too concerned with them,” James explained
“I was able to walk off on my own power. I felt a pop and see if I could stretch it a few times to see if it would relieve but it didn’t.” he added.
Told @KingJames is “feeling better” after suffering a groin strain in the third quarter of the Lakers’ game with Golden State. James did not return to the game.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) December 26, 2018
If James would have continued, things could have been worse for the Warriors, as King James had already racked up 17 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists in the first half.
The Warriors were abysmal today, especially Draymond and Klay, with the duo having an off night in offense and defence.
“We’re going to prep for Sacramento as if (LeBron) is not going to play,” Lakers coach Luke Walton said. Lakers play at Kings on Thursday.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) December 26, 2018
While it was just a regular season game, the Warriors will need to go back to the drawing board, as they have been off steam multiple times this season.
Will James play against the Sacramento Kings on Thursday? Or will be sidelined for a long period of time?
