Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James has officially been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

It will be the 15th consecutive games James will miss due to the left groin strain he suffered on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.

The Lakers have gone 5-9 since James got hurt.

There are some around the league who believe LeBron James' groin injury is more serious than just a strain. The Lakers said the four-time MVP was going to be day-to-day with the ailment, but it's almost been a month since The King got hurt.

In his first season in Los Angeles, LeBron is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. The 14-time All-Star is shooting 51.8 percent from the floor, 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 68.2 percent from the free-throw line.

This is already the most games James has missed in a season during his legendary playing career. To make matters even worse for the Lakers, second-year point guard Lonzo Ball is going to be out for the foreseeable future with an ankle sprain. The hits just keep on coming for LA at the wrong time.

The Lakers are 25-23. They are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. The team was 20-14 before James strained his groin in Golden State.