LeBron James injury update: Lakers star returns to Los Angeles during road trip

LeBron James will not stay with the Los Angeles Lakers for the remainder of the team’s current road trip while he deals with an injury.

He suffered a left groin strain that has derailed some of the team’s positive momentum following the addition of Luka Dončić.

James was injured Saturday in the 111-101 loss to the Boston Celtics, which snapped an eight-game winning streak for the Lakers and served as the start of a two-game losing skid.

James has averaged 25 points, 8.5 assists and 8.2 rebounds through 58 games played this season. The Lakers are 4th in the Western Conference with a 40-23 overall record.

Los Angeles Lakers foward LeBron James looks into the crowd during a game agains the Boston Celtics on March 8, 2025.

Why did LeBron James fly back to Los Angeles?

James decided to go back to Los Angeles after the team’s most recent game against the Brooklyn Nets, a 111-108 loss, on Monday.

According to TNT reporter Jared Greenberg, James flew back to avoid having to be on multiple flights, including one that would have him traveling to a high elevation in Denver with the Lakers scheduled to play the Nuggets on Friday.

The Lakers started a 6-game road trip over the eight days last Thursday with a game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Being back in L.A. allows James to sleep in the comfort of his own bed and train at the Lakers’ practice facility.

James appears to be listed as day-to-day by the team but he will be a reevaluated early next week.

When will LeBron James return to the Lakers?

James continues to progress from the groin strain but he is still expected to miss time.

He decided to go back to Los Angeles after the team’s most recent game against the Brooklyn Nets on Monday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: LeBron James injury update: Lakers star returns to Los Angeles

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