Lakers call it a season for LeBron
Reports say team also has signed ex-Aggie Jones
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James is finished for the season, the Los Angeles Lakers announced Saturday.
This marks the first time in his career that the 16-year veteran and four-time MVP has not finished the regular season. The Lakers have six games left, concluding April 9 against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center.
“After consulting with our team doctors and medical staff, we have decided to hold LeBron out of games for the remainder of the season,” read a statement from the Lakers attributed to president of basketball operations Magic Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka. “This decision will allow his groin to fully heal, and is best for the future success of both LeBron and the Lakers.”
James played in 55 games this season and averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and 8.3 assists per game. He made 51 percent of his shots from the field, and 33.9 percent of his three-point attempts. Those numbers were all higher than James’ career averages, except for 3-point shooting accuracy.
James missed 17 consecutive games because of a groin injury he suffered on Christmas during a game against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland, Calif. The Lakers won that game but went 6-11 in James’ absence.
When he returned, the Lakers were cautious with his workload. He played on Jan. 31 against the Clippers and led the Lakers to a win. James then missed the Lakers’ next game on Feb. 2, on the road against the Warriors, due to what the Lakers called load management.
Since his return, James has often been seen with a large ice pack on his groin. He has also been on the injury report with what was designated a knee injury.
The Lakers went 4-14 after the trade deadline, a record that eliminated them from the playoffs.
James hadn’t missed the playoffs since the 2004-05 season — his second in the NBA. In each of the last eight years, he’d been to the NBA Finals, winning three championships.
■ Meanwhile, several media sources (The LA Sentinel, The Athletic, 247sports) reported Saturday that former New Mexico State star Jemerrio Jones is signing with the team, but Los Angeles has not confirmed the deal. The Athletic reports that the deal is for two years, but with a team option for 2019-20.
The 6-foot-5 Jones went undrafted last June, but he has been playing in the developmental G League, averaging 9.4 points 9.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists for the South Bay Lakers.
Saturday
ROCKETS 119, KINGS 108: In Houston, James Harden had 50 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists, scoring 10 straight Houston points down the stretch. It is his 42nd career triple-double and third 50-point game in the last six. Bogdan Bogdanovic had 24 points for the Kings. They have lost two straight and fell to 0-3 against Houston this season.
76ERS 118, TIMBERWOLVES 109: In Minneapolis, Tobias Harris scored 25 points for Philadelphia in Jimmy Butler’s jeer-filled return to Minnesota, helping the 76ers hang on and move one step closer toward solidifying the No. 3 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs.
Ben Simmons pitched in 20 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists for the Sixers. It was a quiet night by Butler (12 points on 4-for-17 shooting with 13 rebounds and five assists).
NETS 110, CELTICS 96: In New York, D’Angelo Russell scored 20 of his 29 points in another blistering third quarter against Boston, leading Brooklyn over the short-handed Celtics. Boston rested Kyrie Irving and Al Horford on the second night of back-to-back games.
PISTONS 99, TRAIL BLAZERS 90: In Detroit, Reggie Jackson scored 28 points, Andre Drummond had 22 points and 19 rebounds, and Detroit ended Portland’s six-game winning streak.
MAGIC 121, PACERS 116: In Indianapolis, Aaron Gordon had 23 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and Orlando racked up a season-high 37 assists. Darren Collison posted 24 points and nine assists for the Pacers, who shot 53 percent from the field but committed 15 turnovers.
HEAT 100, KNICKS 92: In New York, Dion Waiters scored 28 points, and Dwyane Wade added 16 in his last game at Madison Square Garden for Miami. Emmanuel Mudiay scored 24 points for the Knicks, who have lost six straight and 14 of 15.
RAPTORS 124, BULLS 101: In Chicago, Serge Ibaka had 23 points and 12 rebounds, Fred VanVleet also scored 23 and Toronto routed Chicago despite playing without Kawhi Leonard and former New Mexico State star Pascal Siakam.
CLIPPERS 132, CAVALIERS 108: In Los Angeles, Montrezl Harrell scored 23 points, rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 22 points and eight assists, and playoff-bound Los Angeles shot 62.4 percent overall.