NBA fans received a LeBron James update on Sunday.
The Los Angeles Lakers star has missed the last three games with a left groin strain suffered in a March 8 loss to the Boston Celtics. ESPN’s Shams Charania initially reported that James could miss one to two weeks.
James may require a lengthier absence. Ahead of Sunday afternoon’s game between the Lakers and Phoenix Suns, Charania said the 40-year-old is expected to miss “at least” one more week.
However, James participated in his first on-court workout since sustaining the injury. The ABC broadcast showed a brief clip of him shooting at Crypto.com Arena.
“His exact return will be based on how his body responds to increased activity here over the coming days and the coming weeks,” Charania said. “The Lakers and James will be very cautious.”
James hadn’t looked his age before the health setback. The NBA’s all-time scoring leader led the Lakers in minutes (34.9), averaging 25.0 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.2 rebounds per contest. He skipped what would have been his 21st consecutive All-Star Game appearance to rest nagging foot issues.
Buoyed by Luka Doncic’s arrival, the Lakers had won eight straight games before losing a game and LeBron at Boston. They have since allowed 368 combined points in three consecutive losses to the Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets.
The Lakers have fallen from second to fifth in the Western Conference standings. While they’re tied in the loss column with three teams ahead of them, they risk falling into play-in territory with only a 2.5-game cushion above the No. 7 Minnesota Timberwolves.
Based on Charania’s latest timetable, James will probably miss at least four more games over the next five days. That includes a pivotal Wednesday matchup against Denver.
Los Angeles plays four Eastern Conference games from March 22 to 27, but the Lakers can especially use LeBron down the stretch. They’ll play six of their final nine games against the West’s top-six seeds.
Related: ESPN Announces The Injury Diagnosis For LeBron James