The Lakers’ rivalry loss to the Celtics on Saturday night suddenly feels like the least of their worries. The real concern? LeBron James’ health. Late in the fourth quarter, cameras caught the NBA’s all-time leading scorer heading to the locker room. Moments later, the team ruled him out with a groin strain. With just minutes left in the game, the 40-year-old exited and didn’t return, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists.

After the game, head coach JJ Redick had no update on LeBron’s condition but admitted there was reason to be concerned, according to Dan Woike of the L.A. Times. Groin injuries aren’t new territory for James—back in 2022, a similar issue sidelined him for weeks.

Figuring out how long LeBron James will be sidelined with his left groin injury is still a guessing game. ESPN sources say it’s too early to set a return date, but the outlook isn’t great. One source hinted that fans shouldn’t expect a quick comeback—this is more of a weeks-long absence than just a few days off reports Dave McMenamin.

But not everyone is convinced this was just bad luck. Fans were quick to jump on a different narrative—one that paints LeBron’s exit as something more than an injury. With the Lakers trailing and the Celtics firmly in control, some believe he saw the writing on the wall and decided to call it a night before Jayson Tatum could get the best of him.

Fans divided on LeBron James’ injury, some think he’s ducking Tatum, some are actually concerned

Fans unleashed their full frustration after the 4x MVP left the game in the final minutes. One reaction perfectly captured their sentiment: “LeBron, when the going gets tough.” A post showcased a GIF of him packing up and walking out of a press conference, and that GIF delivered a not-so-subtle jab at his habit of leaving when situations turn challenging.

The criticism isn’t new—the 21x All-Star has faced accusations of checking out when games start slipping away. Skeptics see a pattern in LeBron James’ behavior. They recall how he infamously exited early against Miami in Game 3 of the 2020 Finals with just 10 seconds remaining, and they point to his habit of walking off the court before the final buzzer in past playoff losses. With the Lakers trailing and Jayson Tatum dominating, some believe this was another case of LeBron ducking the moment rather than fighting until the end.

Another fan tweeted, “Why is he so scared of Tatum?”. While LeBron technically leads their head-to-head matchups 11-10, that stat doesn’t tell the full story. Tatum has consistently delivered big performances against LeBron, and tonight was no different. He torched the Lakers with 40 points. With Boston in full control and a comeback looking out of reach, LeBron’s late-game exit had fans raising eyebrows.

One fan took a more hopeful approach, posting: “PRAYER CIRCLE: LeBron James will be OK.”. Given LeBron’s history with groin injuries, the concern is understandable. Back in 2018, a similar issue sidelined him for 17 games, and in 2022, another groin strain kept him out for weeks.

At 40 years old, any injury—especially one involving the lower body—raises questions about recovery time and long-term impact. With the Lakers fighting for playoff positioning, losing LeBron for an extended stretch could be devastating.

Another fan was also sympathetic. A post read, “Praying for the GOAT.” James’s career has been a defiance of Father Time, but at 40, each injury is more concerning than the last.

Because, according to Dr. Rajendra Brar, a Doctor of Physical Therapy noted that if it’s a Grade 1 strain, recovery could take around 1-2 weeks. However, if it’s a Grade 2 strain, the doctors may sideline LeBron for at least three weeks or more.

One netizen chimed in with, “Lakers’ championship run is over if he’s out for the rest of the season.” And honestly, it’s hard to argue against that.

LeBron James has been the engine keeping the Lakers alive this season, putting up 25 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 51.7% from the field and 38.4% from three. Even at 40, he’s logging heavy minutes (34.9 MPG) and remains the team’s best playmaker.

Without him, the Lakers lose more than just stats—they lose leadership, experience, and the one player capable of elevating them in the postseason. Their title hopes hinge on LeBron staying healthy, and if he’s out long-term, fans fear their season might already be finished.