Lakers fans can relax—LeBron James’ groin injury isn’t as severe as feared.

The Los Angeles Lakers and their fans breathed a sigh of relief after Shams Charania reported that LeBron James did not hear a pop when he suffered his groin injury against the Boston Celtics.

On NBA Countdown, Charania provided an update on LeBron’s condition, stating that while he is expected to miss one to two weeks, the injury is not as severe as the groin tear he sustained in 2018, which sidelined him for 17 games.

“Sources tell ESPN that LeBron James is expected to miss at least one to two weeks with a strained groin.

Typically, soft tissue injuries lead to weeks-long absences, and this could potentially be an extended period of time for LeBron James as he undergoes evaluation over the next 24 hours.”

“However, unlike in 2018 when he suffered a groin tear, I’m told he did not hear a pop last night in Boston.

Additionally, unlike the past two years when the Lakers were competing for a play-in tournament slot, this time around, they are the third seed in the Western Conference.”

“They have a level of cushion and the ability to be cautious with LeBron James to ensure he is fully healthy for the stretch run and the playoffs.

As of right now, it is also important to note that he needs to play seven more games to be eligible for an All-NBA team.”

This is a major positive development for the Lakers, as hearing a pop during a groin injury often indicates a tear, which could have resulted in an absence of multiple months.

Instead, LeBron’s injury has been categorized as a groin strain, meaning his recovery will be determined by pain management and mobility testing over the coming weeks.

Given that soft tissue injuries can be unpredictable, the Lakers are expected to proceed with caution, ensuring that LeBron is fully healthy for the stretch run and playoffs.

LeBron has been having yet another incredible season, averaging 25.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game while shooting 51.7% from the field and 38.4% from three-point range.

He was also named the Western Conference Player of the Month for February, marking the 41st time in his career that he has received the honor.

The Lakers currently hold a 40-22 record, sitting third in the Western Conference standings.

This positioning allows them to be more cautious with LeBron’s recovery, as opposed to the past two seasons when they were fighting for a play-in spot.

The severity of a groin strain varies based on its grade.

– Grade 1 (Mild): Minor discomfort, with a recovery time of 1-2 weeks.

– Grade 2 (Moderate): Partial tearing of muscle fibers, with several weeks to a few months needed for full recovery.

– Grade 3 (Severe): A complete tear, requiring months of rehabilitation and possibly surgery.

Fortunately, reports indicate that LeBron’s strain is likely Grade 1 or mild Grade 2, meaning he could be back within a few weeks. However, given his history of soft tissue injuries in recent years, the Lakers will monitor his progress closely.

The Lakers have a difficult schedule over the next two weeks, playing eight games with tough matchups against Milwaukee and Denver on the road, while also facing Phoenix, Denver, and Milwaukee at home.

The team will need to rely on Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves to step up in LeBron’s absence.

Additionally, one major factor to keep in mind is LeBron’s eligibility for All-NBA honors. As Charania noted, he needs to play seven more games this season to meet the minimum 65-game requirement for award eligibility.

This could influence when the Lakers decide to bring him back, as individual accolades remain important for his legacy.

Ultimately, while losing LeBron James for any stretch is a blow, the Lakers are in a good position to manage his absence and keep their spot in the top five of the Western Conference standings.

Fans can now breathe a little easier, knowing that this injury isn’t as severe as his 2018 groin tear, and that LeBron should be back in time to lead them into the playoffs at full strength.