LeBron James exits Christmas night with strained left groin

LeBron James left Tuesday night’s 127-101 Los Angeles Lakers victory over the Golden State Warriors midway through the third quarter with a strained left groin and was listed as questionable to return.

The Lakers star, who did not return, grabbed at his left groin after slipping under the Warriors basket at the 7:51 mark of the third trying for a loose ball. Members of the training staff came out and James tried to stretch it out, awkwardly walked toward the Lakers bench trying to loosen up before leaving on his own though gingerly out the tunnel for the locker room.

James, playing his second straight Christmas game against the Warriors at Oracle Arena after losing last year’s matchup with Cleveland, had 17 points, 13 rebounds and five assists before exiting. Kyle Kuzma had 19 points and Rajon Rondo had 15 points and 10 assists for the Lakers.