Los Angeles Lakers fans are taking a collective deep breath as LeBron James heads to the sidelines after a groin strain in the game against the Boston Celtics.

As James will likely sit out one to two weeks, the fear is that this could harm the Lakers' playoff seeding and future prospects. Yet history says otherwise.

LeBron James Downplays His Groin Strain

LeBron James to Miss Few Weeks Due to Groin Strain LeBron James to Miss Few Weeks Due to Groin Strain
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For the upcoming Sunday, James will be re-evaluated to see if he will be eligible to play in the next games. Sources told ESPN that the 40-year-old forward even downplayed his condition, saying that there was "not much concern." He even said it's going to be fine after a "day-to-day" treatment.

Lakers Have Been Here Before

This is not the first time that Los Angeles has had to push through injuries to their largest star. In 2023, the Lakers were in the same boat when James sat out an entire month after suffering a foot injury.

While the setback certainly occurred, the team still pushed through to have a deep run in the playoffs, making it to the Western Conference Finals. That experience will be a blueprint for the present roster.

The Luka Doncic Factor is Ready to Take Over

Among the greatest players this season is Luka Doncic. The energetic guard has already established himself as a point-scorer, and his transition has been easier with James out to heal.

Doncic and his teammates have good chemistry, and the Lakers require him to contribute now more than ever before.

Can the Lakers Maintain Their Position?

The whole is currently resting in the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, with the Memphis Grizzlies and Houston Rockets nipping at their heels. Although they hold a nice cushion over the Golden State Warriors, the near future still holds its share of tough games.

Luckily, important games against Memphis and Houston won't arrive until late March, allowing James time to come back before those must-win games, CBS Sports reports.

Falling out of the top three seeds would create an early playoff matchup with the No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder. But dodging a first-round series against a hot Golden State team with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler might not be the worst thing in the world.

Each game without James will be a challenge, but remaining within striking distance of a high seed is paramount.

Key Players Who Must Step Up

Austin Reaves

When James has been out in the past, Austin Reaves has excelled in a larger role. In the past two seasons, Reaves has averaged 21.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds per game when James is absent. He will need to keep performing well to help sustain the Lakers' offense.

Rui Hachimura

Hachimura's projected return will bring needed depth and scoring. His range and ability to defend multiple spots will be vital during James' downtime.

Defensive Changes Without LeBron

Though James' scoring ability is not up for debate, his own recent defensive work has been phenomenal too. His loss adds further stress to the Lakers' defense, particularly since they didn't bring in a center at the trade deadline.

Jaxson Hayes has filled the bill in a reserve role, but there's no elite rim protector on the roster. Two-way center Trey Jemison has shown well in backup reps, but much of the defensive weight will be shifted to the wings. Jarred Vanderbilt, Dorian Finney-Smith, and Gabe Vincent will have to raise their defensive game to make up for James' loss.

Shooting Issues and Expected Regression

The Lakers have been having trouble shooting threes since Doncic arrived. They are making just 36% on wide-open threes and 32.4% on open shots—both rates significantly lower than their pre-trade marks. The silver lining? These figures indicate a possible shooting uptick simply through natural regression. If Doncic and Reaves keep creating quality looks, efficiency will increase.

Can the Lakers Preserve Their Defensive Identity?

Unexpectedly, the Lakers have been more dependent on defense than offense under Doncic. They are currently ranked No. 2 in defensive efficiency, a reflection of their attacking scheme and dedication to creating turnovers.

Turnover creation will be that much more vital with James out. The Lakers have risen from 20th to 12th in turnover creation since getting Dončić, and they need to keep playing their aggressive style of defense.