LeBron James Injury Update: Lakers' Star Will Miss Several More Games, Possible Return Date Revealed

The Los Angeles Lakers are going to be without their star player for a little while longer. After missing four games with a groin injury, LeBron James is set to miss at least four more contests.

L.A. announced that James will sit out Friday night’s game against the New York Knicks. The forward won’t travel with the Lakers on their two-game road trip to Minnesota and Dallas. James has also been ruled out for the team’s contest at home with the Detroit Pistons Wednesday night.

James will be re-evaluated in one week. That opens the door for a possible return against the Utah Jazz on Jan. 11.

After James left the Lakers’ Christmas Day matchup with the Golden State Warriors, it was considered good news when his groin injury was revealed to only be a strain. Los Angeles has been cautious with the 34-year-old, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see James sit for a few more games after being re-evaluated.

The Lakers have struggled without James, losing three of four games. Los Angeles has dropped from fourth to eighth in the Western Conference standings. L.A. has a two-game cushion on the Sacramento Kings for the final playoff berth, though they only trail the Denver Nuggets by five games for the No.1 seed.

James is leading the Lakers with 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. He’s the early leading vote-getter for the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

Kyle Kuzma is second on the team with 18.3 points per game. He led the Lakers with 25.0 points per game in the first three contests without James, but he was limited to 16 minutes because of a back contusion when Los Angeles was beaten by the Oklahoma City Thunder Wednesday,

Kuzma is questionable for Friday’s game against the Knicks, who have the NBA’s third-worst record.