Lakers news: LeBron James is listed as day-to-day with slight groin injury

Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James suffered a slight groin strain in the team's Christmas Day matchup against the Golden State Warriors.

Los Angeles Lakers fans will have to hold their breath for a while, as they continue to wait for updates on LeBron James' injury.

James went out in the third quarter of their Christmas Day showdown with the Golden State Warriors due to a groin injury. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player did not return to the game. And according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, James will be listed as day-to-day and will undergo MRI to determine the extent of the injury.

The Lakers say LeBron James will not return to today's game. James' timeline for recovery is considered day to day at this point, according to a league source. However, he will receive a MRI which will give a clearer picture of the extent of the injury.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 26, 2018

LeBron James hurt his groin when he slipped while dribbling into the paint. He managed to get back on defense in the ensuing play, but he immediately called the attention of their medical staff when the felt that the pain is increasing.

Talks about James sustaining a major injury intensified when he was caught in a video saying that he felt a pop. After that, James and their medical staff decided to head to the locker room, and the three-time NBA champion never returned.

https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1077757825303150592

Before leaving the game, LeBron James was having a productive night for the Lakers. He looked on his way to having a triple-double performance after racking up 17 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.

The Lakers were ahead by 14 points before the injury. They looked headed to a monumental collapse after the Warriors unleashed a huge rally to trim the lead down to two points. However, Brandon Ingram, Rajon Rondo, and Lance Stephenson made big baskets late in the third quarter to give the Lakers a 91-82 lead.

Los Angeles sustained the momentum in the final period, where they led by as much as 31 points en route to a 127-101 blowout win over the defending champions. The Lakers improved to 20-14, moving up to fourth in the Western Conference standings almost halfway through the 2018-19 NBA season.