The Los Angeles Lakers are once again set to roll out Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook without the third member of their 'big three'.
LeBron James is expected to miss at least one week of action with an abominal strain, according to The Athletic's Shams Charania . The four-time NBA MVP had previously missed two of the Lakers' first eight games of the season before suffering the injury against the Rockets on Nov. 2.
What's next for James? Here's everything we know about his injury and the latest news on when he may return to the court.
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What is LeBron James' injury?
On their most recent injury report, the Lakers listed James as out with a rectus abdominis strain. That muscle group is "slung between the ribs and the pubic bone at the front of the pelvis," per BetterHealth.com , and its primary function is to "move the body between the ribcage and the pelvis."
An abdominal strain can cause sharp pains and result in difficulty stretching the muscle.
How long will LeBron James be out?
James is expected to miss 1-2 weeks, according to Charania, who reported on Nov. 4 that the Lakers are taking a cautious approach with his injury.
"If this were the playoffs, could James push to play? Possibly," Charania said. "But James suffered the injury in Tuesday's win over the Rockets, and the Lakers want to be careful and manage the injury during the marathon of this NBA season."
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Lakers upcoming schedule 2021-22
If James misses one week, he'll miss four total games, including a nationally televised game against his former team, the Miami Heat.
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV |
| Nov. 4 | vs. Thunder | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 6 | at Trail Blazers | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 8 | vs. Hornets | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 10 | vs. Heat | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 12 | vs. Timberwolves | 10:30 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 14 | vs. Spurs | 3:30 p.m. | — |
| Nov. 15 | vs. Bulls | 10:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| Nov. 17 | at Bucks | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| Nov. 19 | at Celtics | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN |
LeBron James stats for 2021-22 season
- 24.8 points per game
- 5.5 rebounds per game
- 7.0 assists per game
- 2.3 steals per game
- 4.2 turnovers per game
- 37.0 minutes per game
- 46.7 percent shooting
- 34.7 percent 3-point shooting
- 78.3 percent free throw shooting
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