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LeBron James has opened up about his recent groin injury as the Los Angeles Lakers deliberate over whether to risk bringing the 40-year-old star back into the lineup against the Orlando Magic. James returned after missing seven games due to the injury sustained against the Chicago Bulls. However, his return was far from ideal as the Lakers suffered a crushing 115-146 defeat, leaving them with a 4-6 record over their last 10 games.
Struggles Following His Comeback
James admitted that he felt “rusty” during his return, acknowledging that his performance was not up to his usual standard. Despite being officially listed as ‘probable’ for the game against the Magic, the Lakers remain cautious about reintroducing James into the starting lineup.
“I Won’t Look Too Far in the Future”
Speaking about his condition, James emphasized a cautious approach toward his recovery. “I just take it day by day,” James remarked. “I can’t work out what’s going to happen in the future, but obviously I got some work on it today. Hopefully, a little more on the plane. It’s a long flight to Orlando, and then I’ll get ready for Monday. I hope it’s behind, but I won’t look too far in the future.”
James had been averaging 25.0 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per game during the 2024-25 season before being sidelined by the injury.
Lakers’ Injury Woes Continue
Along with James, the blow that has struck the Los Angeles Lakers roster includes injuries with regard to Rui Hachimura and Maxi Kleber. The fourth-leading scorer of the Lakers averages 13.3 points a game, Hachimura, who is "questionable" because of a knee injury, was also "70-80% ready" before going into the game. Kleber was ruled out with a foot injury, further adding to the uncertainty surrounding the Lakers dense roster.
The Magic take on the Lakers
The game is between the Orlando Magic and the Lakers taking place on March 24, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game live on SportsNet LA, FDSFL, and NBA TV.
As he recovers from a lengthy battle with injury, James could find that during the next few weeks, the Lakers are forced to strike a delicate balance between tending to their franchise icon's short and long-term health and their playoff ambitions.
