Since returning from his groin injury, LeBron James hasn’t looked the same. In some games, his shooting has waned, while at other times, the Akron Hammer hasn’t looked as sharp as he usually is. With weeks of rest and a revered recovery routine, why is this happening? There could have only been one possible explanation. The 40-year-old is still not fully fit, as he confirmed a new ailment after beating the Houston Rockets.

James wasn’t lacking motivation, facing off against his arch-nemesis Dillon Brooks. Yet, he only scored 16 and took just 12 shots in the game. It was after the game that a few answers came to surface. According to Dan Woike, the star forward carried “a cup of hot tea and a ziplock bag with cough drops, nasal spray and cold medicine,” when leaving the arena.

So while his groin strain did optimally heal, the rigorous travel during the past road trip took a toll on LeBron James. He confirmed the onset of another illness that he is currently dealing with. That explains why James has only recorded two games of 20 or more points since his return from the groin injury.

His body must not be feeling right at this moment. Even the simple task of running up and down the floor is more exhausting than normal. However, that didn’t stop the still-athletic 40-year-old from making a huge play. In the clutch, LeBron James blocked Alperen Sengun’s attempt to bring the game into one possession.

The Rockets didn’t score after the electric sequence from LeBron James. The vital stop led to the Lakers walking away with a 98-104 victory in the tightly contested game. But while today the Akon Hammer had some energy left in his tank, the illness adds a huge obstacle and can derail his recovery.

So although the Lakers are smiling after winning a taxing battle, how could this affect them in the long run?

The Lakers and their complicated playoff picture

Since his late 30s, LeBron James has had to tackle frequent injuries. But each time, he has done it successfully. The timing of his current ailments though is very concerning. The Lakers only have seven games left in the regular season. And if you think their spot in the postseason is guaranteed, think again.

According to Tankathon, the Lakers have the third toughest schedule remaining in the NBA. They face the Thunder twice, the Rockets and the Warriors once each. In such a stretch, health is of the top priority. The Lakers are just three games ahead of the seventh-seeded Timberwolves, and they have won three of their last four games.

With James not being able to perform to his optimal standards, the Lakers could suffer hugely during this run of games. But there is some relief. The Lakers have two days to rest before facing the Warriors. It gives the player with the most minutes played in NBA history some time to give his body some rest and recover from his illness.

But even then, unlike before, James can actually take a back seat. With Luka Doncic his teammate, the Slovenian guard has taken the reigns of the Lakers franchise. It gives the 40-year-old more space to operate and also increased opportunities for rest during close games. And it would be wrong to not mention Austin Reaves in this conversation. When nobody fires, it’s always Reaves who takes charge for JJ Redick’s team.

Other key players such as Gabe Vincent, Dorian-Finney Smith, and Rui Hachimura can also supply well in place of LeBron James until he does get fully fit. Nonetheless, James being unable to fully unleash himself does raise the demands on the squad. And although capable, the price of execution is way higher for the Lakers in the remaining games.