If you were hoping to see LeBron James and Nikola Jokic go head-to-head on Friday, you’re out of luck. The Lakers superstar won’t be in Denver for the final game of their road trip. Instead, he flew back to California to treat a lingering left groin strain. LeBron has already missed two straight games, including Thursday’s matchup in Milwaukee. With him sidelined, the Lakers will have to take on the Nuggets without their leader.

But he’s not going to be alone in LA anymore. A few of his teammates are going to join him.

Lakers coach JJ Redick made it clear before the Bucks game—the 21x All-Star isn’t the only one sidelined. Rui Hachimura and Jaxson Hayes also left the team and returned to California, dealing with knee issues of their own reports, Jovan Buha. Hachimura is battling left patellar tendinopathy, while Hayes is nursing a right knee bruise.

Once the Lakers wrap up their road trip and head home, all three will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis. That’s great news because originally it was feared that the 4x MVP could be out for 2 weeks.

Unfortunately, groin injuries are nothing new for LeBron. This marks the third time he’s had to deal with this frustrating setback. Back in his debut season with the Lakers in 2018-19, he missed 17 games due to a similar issue. Now, at 40 years old, the challenge will be not just recovering but managing the injury as the Lakers push toward the postseason.

During Saturday night’s matchup against the Celtics, he attacked the basket against Jaylen Brown and knocked down a left-handed floater. The Lakers were building momentum—until James suddenly started limping. It was his groin. Before the setback, he had been averaging 25 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 8.5 assists while shooting over 51% from the field and nearly 38% from three.

With James sidelined, the Lakers will need all the help they can get. While their current roster has kept them in the playoff race, an offseason move could strengthen their title chances—possibly by bringing back a familiar face.

LeBron James and the Lakers could use the services of a former MVP, once again

The Lakers might not be the clear-cut favorites in the West, but with LeBron James and Luka Doncic, they’re always in the conversation.

Before dropping back-to-back games to the Celtics and Nets, they had built solid momentum, riding an eight-game win streak to a 40-21 record. But with his groin acting up again, the Lakers could use a boost.

That’s where a familiar name resurfaces—Russell Westbrook.

His first Lakers stint? A disaster. The team pulled off a blockbuster trade for him in 2021, banking on his energy to elevate them. Instead, his reckless turnovers and questionable shot selection made him more of a liability. By mid-2023, he was sent to Utah, immediately bought out, and landed with the Clippers.

That experiment didn’t last either, and now Westbrook is in Denver, thriving in a reduced role. At 36, he’s playing smarter, averaging 12.9 points, 6.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds while shooting 46.5% from the field.

If he turns down his player option this summer, a Lakers reunion isn’t far-fetched. They could use a veteran playmaker to steady the second unit, and with his adjusted approach, Westbrook might finally be the right fit.