Despite aggravating a groin injury earlier this week, LeBron James will suit up and play for the Lakers against the Blazers on Saturday (10 ET, League Pass) according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
The former four-time MVP said he felt healthy heading into L.A.’s Christmas showdown with the Clippers, only to collide with Patrick Beverley in the first quarter and worsen the injury. James suffered a torn left groin last season (also on Christmas Day) that forced him to miss 17 consecutive games.
The Lakers enter Saturday’s contest on a four-game losing streak, which marks their first stretch of consecutive defeats this season after starting out 24-3. All four losses have come against playoff teams.
James is averaging 25.7 points, 7.6 rebounds and a league-leading 10.6 assists while shooting 49.1 percent.
