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Dave McMenaminMar 8, 2025, 11:26 PM ET
- Lakers and NBA reporter for ESPN.
- Covered the Lakers and NBA for ESPNLosAngeles.com from 2009-14, the Cavaliers from 2014-18 for ESPN.com and the NBA for NBA.com from 2005-09.
BOSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers‘ eight-game win streak came to an end Saturday against the Boston Celtics, 111-101. But they might have lost more than just the game.
Lakers star LeBron James exited with 6:44 remaining in the fourth quarter with what the team is calling a left groin strain and did not return.
“It was the last play. The last score I had, spun on Jaylen Brown, it made me extended a little bit too much,” James said in describing the injury. “It took a bit, but … you know, a couple pivots and then when I landed, I felt it. So, that was the last score.”
It is too early to project an accurate timetable for how long James could be out, sources told ESPN. However one source said the initial thought is that the injury will sideline James for a matter of weeks, not a matter of days. After the loss, though, James sounded hopeful.
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“Not much concern, obviously we go day to day, look at it each day, see if it gets better, and take the proper measurement machine,” James said. “See what we need to do going forward.”
James had just scored with 7:05 remaining to pull the Lakers within seven points, down 92-85, after they trailed by as many as 22 points.
He finished with 22 points on 11-for-23 shooting (0-for-6 from 3) with 14 rebounds and 9 assists.
Los Angeles is entering a treacherous stretch of its schedule, playing six games in the next eight days — including two games apiece against the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks.
“I think we just have to continue to play hard and play defense,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said.
