LeBron James missed 17 games with a groin injury in the 2018-19 season. As he deals with the same injury again, some have speculated on its severity and if the Lakers star could return sooner than expected.
However, James’ agent, Rich Paul, has refused to “put a timeline” on his client’s return to basketball activities. Speaking to “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, Paul said James realizes that soft tissue injuries, especially at his age, can be tricky and must be dealt with carefully.
“There’s been a lot of basketball playing for the older guys,” Paul said of the 40-year-old James. “When you have this type of injury, you have to manage it properly. Unfortunately, AD [Anthony Davis] had the same thing, a little bit different, and he even mentioned that … So you have to manage it with grace.”
Paul further confirmed that the Lakers have allowed James and his personal trainers to tackle the injury and don’t have any expectations for a speedy recovery.
His comments hint at James’ extended absence, potentially a devastating blow for the Lakers. Over the season’s final month, the Purple and Gold face the fourth-toughest schedule, which includes two games apiece against the Thunder, Nuggets, Bucks and Rockets. The Lakers are already bracing to be without James for this week’s back-to-back contests against the Bucks and Nuggets.
James, who played 58 games before his injury, is in danger of not qualifying for the NBA’s 65-game rule to be eligible for regular-season awards and honors. The iconic player was considered a lock to make one of the three All-NBA teams and potentially an All-Defensive team in light of his stellar season. James is averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 8.5 assists in his 22nd season.