Lakers superstar LeBron James is expected to miss “at least one week” because of an abdominal strain.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is expected to miss “at least one week” because of an abdominal strain, a source told reporters on Thursday.
James missed Thursday’s 107-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder as another source familiar with the injury told reporters that the Lakers’ medical staff “wants to take their time” with James’ recovery.
“Anytime LeBron’s out and he’s going to miss some time there’s obviously concern,” Lakers coach Frank Vogel said before Thursday’s game. “Hopefully this is something that’s minimal, and hopefully he’ll be back soon.”
James aggravated his ab injury, which the team is calling a rectus abdominis strain, in Tuesday’s 119-117 win over the Houston Rockets, sources told ESPN.
In the fourth quarter of Tuesday’s game, James started to feel the injury but was unaware of what caused it.
“When he came over to the bench he just said he felt something pulling, was able to finish the game, but then obviously discovered there was something there after the game,” Vogel said.
Vogel said the injury is unrelated to the groin tear that caused James to miss 27 games during the 2018-19 season.
Vogel added that James’ early-season injuries have not changed the team’s approach to protecting him for the long haul.
“Not any different than in years past,” Vogel said. “We want to be responsible with his minutes … get to the finish line as healthy as possible but also as in rhythm as possible. And that’s a balance that we strike throughout the year.”
James is averaging 24.8 points on 46.7% shooting — his lowest percentage since his rookie year — along with 7 assists and 5.5 rebounds per game.
Los Angeles travels to Portland to play the Trail Blazers on Saturday, followed by home games against the Charlotte Hornets on Monday, Miami Heat on Wednesday and Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.
L.A. started DeAndre Jordan, Anthony Davis, Russell Westbrook, Avery Bradley and Kent Bazemore against the Thunder.
“Obviously you can’t replace what LeBron does,” Vogel said, “but everybody else has to do what they do better and you have to start that way.”
