Lakers pull plug on James’ season

LeBron James will sit out the rest of the season, ending his first season with the Lakers.

The Lakers said Saturday that holding James out would allow his groin to fully heal. They added that James would accompany the team on its upcoming road trip to New Orleans and Oklahoma City.

James was hurt in a victory over the Warriors on Christmas, the first significant injury of his career. He sat out 17 games before returning on Jan. 31, and the Lakers were unable to recover and make the playoffs.

It’s the first time James won’t play in the postseason since 2005, when he was in his second NBA season with the Cavaliers. He had appeared in the last eight NBA Finals.

James averaged 27.4 points, 8.5 rebounds and

8.3 assists in 55 games.

■ Montrezl Harrell scored

23 points and rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added

22 points and eight assists as the host Clippers beat the Cavaliers 132-108 for their seventh win in eight games . ... The Celtics were without starters Kyrie Irving and Al Horford for their game against the Nets. The Celtics ruled out Irving (back) and Horford (knee) in the morning . ... Sixers All-Star C Joel Embiid (knee) will not travel for the team’s upcoming three-game trip . ... Heat coach Erik Spoelstra had no update on swingman Josh Richardson, who is out with a bruised heel. He is not with the team during its two-game trip to New York and Boston . ... The Raptors will be without F Patrick McCaw (thumb) for about three weeks.