The Los Angeles Lakers take on the Clippers on Thursday in the battle for Staples Center and the Lakers will be without star small forward LeBron James for the 18th consecutive game.

LeBron James is still recovering from the left groin injury he suffered on Christmas Day against the Golden State Warriors.

The Lakers have gone just 6-11 without LeBron James. The team is 26-25 on the season, ninth place in the Western Conference standings.

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In 34 games this season, James is averaging 27.3 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists per contest. The King is shooting 51.8 percent from the floor, 35.6 percent from beyond the arc and 68.2 percent from the free-throw line.

The Lakers are 20-14 with James in the lineup. The four-time MVP has 17 double-doubles and three triple-doubles on the season.

Many around the NBA believe LeBron James' groin injury is much worse than what the organization is saying. When James suffered the injury, the Lakers said he was going to be day-to-day, but that hasn't been the case at all, as it's been more than a month since James has been out of the lineup.

What is clear is that the roster in LA isn't ready to compete in the West without LeBron James. The team looks like a lottery team without LeBron.