The Lakers dropped their third straight game Sunday as LeBron James sat out due to a thoracic muscle strain and a nagging groin injury.
Despite the injury and the 24-point loss sending the team into Christmas, ESPN reports that King James is expected to play on Wednesday versus the Clippers (22-10).
The Christmas Day LA showdown would be a surprising game for James to miss, as he is an NBA player who has adamantly opted not to sit on the sideline during games in the name of load management.
Dropping three in a row is a change of course for this season’s Lakers, who were 24-3 before the skid. James himself has been as reliable as ever, averaging 25.8 points per game with 7 and a half rebounds and 10.6 assists.
The Clippers and Lakers tip-off at 5 p.m. PT on Christmas.