Lakers star LeBron James suffers groin injury

LeBron James left the Lakers' game against the Warriors on Christmas Day with a strained groin. The team originally announced he was questionable to return but he was later ruled out.

James suffered the injury midway through the third quarter. He met with trainers on the court, appeared to tell them he “felt a pop” and then headed back to the locker room.

An initial exam of the injury revealed that "all is intact" and it was a "slight groin strain," according to a report. 

James is considered day-to-day at this point, according to a report from ESPN, which cites an unidentified league source. But, he will undergo an MRI "which will give a clearer picture" of the injury, that report says. 

The 33-year-old star grabbed 17 points and dished out 13 rebounds before the injury.

James entered the matchup against Golden State averaging 27.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game. He was shooting 51.8 percent from the field and 36 percent from 3-point range.

James is in his first season in Los Angeles. He signed a four-year, $154 million contract with the team this summer.

The Lakers (20-14) were leading Golden State (23-12) by 14 at the time James exited the game. They went on to win 127-101.