LeBron James exits Los Angeles Lakers' loss with injury - ESPN

BOSTON — The Los Angeles Lakers' eight-game win streak came to an end Saturday against the Boston Celtics by a score of 111-101. But L.A. might have lost more than just the game.

Lakers star LeBron James exited with 6:44 remaining in the fourth quarter with what the team is calling a left groin strain and did not return.

James downplayed the injury, saying there was «not much concern» and vowing to «go day to day» in treating it.

Until he undergoes medical imaging, it is too early to project an accurate timetable for how long James could be out, sources told ESPN. However, one source said the initial thought is that the injury will sideline James for a matter of weeks, not a matter of days.

«I think we just have to continue to play hard and play defense,» Lakers coach JJ Redick said after the loss.

James had just scored with 7:05 remaining to pull the Lakers within seven points, down 92-85, after they trailed by as many as 22 points. James said the injury occurred when he pivoted around the Celtics' Jaylen Brown to score in the lane.

«Maybe extended it a little bit too much,» James said.

The 22-year veteran said his mind immediately went to Christmas Day 2018, when he suffered a torn groin that caused him to miss the next 17 games, stifling L.A.'s momentum in his first season with the franchise.

«I've been there before, and I know what type of injury you're dealing with,» James said.

When asked to compare Saturday's injury to that one, James replied: «No, it's not as bad as that. It's not as bad as that.»

He then turned around and rapped his knuckles on the wooden locker behind him to not jinx himself with his prognosis.

When James left the floor to go back to the locker room for evaluation, the Lakers trailed by nine.