LeBron James may have recovered from his recent groin strain, but the Los Angeles Lakers star is now facing a new setback that threatens to derail his rhythm.
Following the team’s narrow 104-98 victory over the Houston Rockets, James was seen leaving the arena with visible signs of illness – a hot tea in hand and a bag containing cough drops, nasal spray, and cold medicine, according to reporter Dan Woike.
While the 40-year-old still made a signature defensive play late in the game – a clutch block on Alperen Sengun – he looked fatigued for most of the night.
James finished with just 16 points on 12 shots and lacked the aggressive offensive presence fans are used to seeing. The illness may explain why he hasn’t scored more than 20 points in most games since returning to action.
The cause of his current condition appears to be related to the Lakers‘ recent travel schedule.
“Bro, you still broke. Don’t change much. You still broke, I am still rich,” LeBron said jokingly to a friend recently, trying to downplay his health situation while keeping the mood light. However, it’s clear that something is affecting his stamina.
Lakers face a challenging road ahead
As the regular season nears its conclusion, timing couldn’t be worse for James to fall ill.
The Lakers have one of the league’s toughest remaining schedules, including two games against the Oklahoma City Thunder and critical matchups with Golden State and Houston. Sitting just a few games above the play-in line, every contest carries weight.
Since entering his late 30s, James has dealt with more frequent injuries, but his ability to return and perform has been impressive. Yet with limited time left to secure a favorable playoff position, his recovery is now more urgent than ever.
Fortunately, the Lakers have a deeper roster than in past seasons. Luka Donic has taken on a major leadership role since arriving in Los Angeles, easing the burden on James.
Austin Reaves remains a dependable option when the offense stalls, and role players like Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, and Dorian Finney-Smith have stepped up in recent weeks.
The team will have two days of rest before facing the Warriors, offering James a crucial opportunity to regain strength. With the postseason looming, the Lakers can’t afford to let his health situation linger – especially with so much at stake.
If James is unable to operate at full capacity, the rest of the roster will need to rise to the occasion. And though the “King” is fighting through fatigue, the expectation remains that he’ll do everything he can to lead the Lakers when it matters most.
