LeBron James has built his career on dominance and durability. Over 22 seasons, he’s managed to dodge major injuries. Now, as the 2025 NBA Playoffs loom, LeBron is battling a groin injury—far from ideal for a player in his 40s. If he can get back to full strength, the Lakers have a real shot at making noise in the postseason.

It’s been two weeks since the 21x All-Star went down in a tough loss to the Celtics, and the initial reports suggested he’d be out for “weeks, not days.” The Lakers struggled without him at first, dropping their next two games. But then Luka Doncic took over, leading them to 3 victories. But it looks like the King is going to be back at the helm.

A recent video clip of him tearing up the court has sparked some interesting commentary from Lakers broadcasters. In the footage, LeBron sprints from one end of the court to the other and throws down dunks in rapid succession—a display that excites fans about his speed and athleticism despite the setback.

One of the commentators noted, “Well, LeBron on the bench showing. How about LeBron about three o’clock this afternoon? He’s got some speed going here Stu.” His partner Stu then weighed in on the situation: “Yeah, I mean, again, he’s, uh, obviously, ramping it up a bit, but running in a straight line can be misleading. When you’ve got a groin injury it’s not just straight line moves that really concern you the most. It’s that lateral movement when you have to make quick changes through things like that. That’s where that groin reintroduces itself to you.”

The broadcasters’ analysis highlights the inherent risks of the 4x MVP’s aggressive play style while nursing a groin injury. Although his straight-line speed is impressive, the need for quick lateral movements remains a critical concern.

But JJ Reddick remains optimistic. Before Thursday’s game, coach JJ Redick told Mark Medina he’s “hopeful” LeBron will make his comeback soon. If everything goes as planned, LeBron should suit up against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday—ending a six-game absence.

Staying on the court has been a defining trait of his career, and now, as he works his way back from injury, the conversation around his longevity has only intensified.

Big Diesel believes the Lakers’ play style has given more life to LeBron James

Shaquille O’Neal recently shared his take on what’s helped LeBron James stay at the top for so long. On his podcast, the Lakers legend pointed to how the NBA’s shift toward a less physical game has worked in LeBron’s favor. According to Shaq, LeBron has never been the type to throw elbows—his game has always been about movement and finesse. Defenses no longer play as aggressively as they once did, which allows him to thrive.

That’s not to say LeBron James hasn’t earned his success. Even at 40, he’s putting up 25 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists per night—numbers that most players in their prime would kill for. But Shaq couldn’t help but imagine what his own career might have looked like in today’s NBA. “I would’ve broken Kareem’s record, then been at the hookah bar every week,” he joked.

Shaq knows better than anyone how brutal the game used to be. He was practically tackled in the paint every night, which led to the infamous “Hack-a-Shaq” strategy. Meanwhile, the 4x champion doesn’t have to deal with defenders hanging all over him, but it’s not like he needs any special rules—his mix of strength and skill already makes him a matchup nightmare.

At one point, Shaq admitted he envied LeBron’s longevity. Now, though, it’s nothing but respect. He sees LeBron redefining what’s possible, proving that even in an era where physicality has taken a backseat, true greatness always finds a way to shine.