Report: LeBron James Played Through Injury in Loss to L.A. Clippers

Not only did the Los Angeles Lakers lose to the Los Angeles Clippers on Christmas Day, but the Lakers continue to be banged up.

After the game, James admitted that he played through some pain.

“I felt healthy going into the game,” James said. “In the second or third defensive possession I got kneed in the groin taking a charge from Pat Bev (Patrick Beverley), and it kind of set me back to where I was five days ago.”

James sat out the Lakers’ last game, a blowout loss against the Denver Nuggets, due to a groin issue, as well as a pulled thoracic muscle.

It’s unknown whether this groin issue has anything to do with the strained groin he suffered a year ago against the Golden State Warriors.

Against the Clippers, James had a poor first half and finished just 9-of-24 from the field and 2-of-12 from 3-point range.

Still, the Lakers held a 63-51 lead at halftime and a 101-94 advantage with 6:39 left in the fourth quarter.

They will have two full days of rest before traveling north to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday.