The Lakers will be without LeBron James for the foreseeable future as they continue their push for positioning in the Western Conference.
James was hobbled in the fourth quarter of Los Angeles’ primetime loss to Boston on Saturday, March 8. After first attempting to stretch on the sideline, James exited the floor for the locker room at TD Garden and was later ruled out for the game with a groin injury.
After the game, Lakers head coach JJ Redick expressed that there’s “obvious concern” about James’ injury, though James himself downplayed the concern levels.
Here is what you need to know about James’ injury, including how much time he is expected to miss as the regular season winds down.
SN’s NBA HQ: Live NBA scores | Updated NBA standings | Full NBA schedule
What is LeBron James’ injury?
James’ injury is a left groin strain, the Lakers announced Saturday.
James suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of L.A.’s loss. It is unclear when exactly it happened, but he appeared hobbled after a finish in the lane with over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Here is the play:
After attempting to play a possession on defense, James could be seen stretching during a timeout before exiting to the locker room with 6:44 remaining. He did not return.
How long will LeBron James be out?
On Sunday morning, Charania reported that James will be out one to two weeks with the injury:
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James is expected to miss at least 1-to-2 weeks with a groin strain, sources tell ESPN. James will wait for the groin injury to calm down over the next 24 hours and receive another evaluation. pic.twitter.com/17mWxsaXN3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 9, 2025
The initial expectation was for James to miss weeks with the injury, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. In 2018, James suffered a strained left groin and was sidelined for over a month, missing 17 consecutive games.
When speaking with reporters, James said he thought of his injury from 2018 but added that he does not believe this one is as serious. He added that the plan is to take it day to day, adding that there is “not much concern” from his view.
LeBron James says he thought about his groin tear on Christmas Day in his first season with the Lakers after injuring it again Saturday but that this injury isn’t as severe. He’s hopeful but still a lot to figure out. pic.twitter.com/DNjC0RyOmw
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) March 9, 2025
James’ injury comes as the Lakers have 20 games remaining over the final six weeks of the 2024-25 regular season. LA. remains among the West’s top three teams, but an extended absence could hurt its playoff positioning.
The 2024-25 NBA season wraps up on Sunday, April 13. The 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament runs from April 15 to 18 and the NBA Playoffs begin on Saturday, April 19.
Lakers schedule 2024-25
Here are the upcoming games on Los Angeles’ schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | TV channel |
| March 10 | at Nets | 7:30 p.m. | — |
| March 13 | at Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| March 14 | at Nuggets | 9:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 16 | vs. Suns | 3:30 p.m. | ABC |
| March 17 | vs. Spurs | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| March 19 | vs. Nuggets | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| March 20 | vs. Bucks | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| March 22 | vs. Bulls | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| March 24 | at Magic | 7 p.m. | NBA TV |
| March 26 | at Pacers | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
