For those who tuned into the Los Angeles Lakers' duel with the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, you might have noticed that LeBron James was neither on the court or on the bench. That's because he was out receiving treatment for a sore groin.
Per Tania Ganguli, the Lakers missed the game due to a sore left groin — the same groin that he injured in their Christmas day win over the Golden State Warriors. He subsequently missed 17 games.
The Lakers say LeBron James was not on the bench tonight because he was getting treatment during the game. James missed the game with a sore left groin, a remnant of the injury that caused him to miss 17 consecutive games in December and January.
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) March 20, 2019
After the Lakers' playoff hopes were killed by a spate of losses, the team announced that they will be limiting the four-time MVP in the final games. This includes cutting down his minutes and letting him sit out back-to-backs. Analysts and fans chimed in, noting that the Lakers should just completely shut James down. After all, the groin injury is a clear indication that — after 16 years in the league — he is finally showing signs of wear and tear.
Though he's still playing at an elite level, the reality is that James is not getting younger each day. Sooner or later, his body will break down. And there's really no reason for him to grind it out with less than 15 games remaining in the regular season with no chance whatsoever at qualifying for the postseason.
Whether the reported sore left groin is serious or not, the Lakers would have to take James' health into consideration as they fix their roster in the summer. The three-time NBA champion's superior basketball IQ will always be there. But his body — just like any other athlete — has a life span.
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