LeBron James to miss Lakers´ game Thursday with sore groin

This season’s tilts with the Golden State Warriors have lacked their normal star power, owing to long-term injuries to All-Star guards Klay Thompson and Steph Curry.

When the Lakers tip-off versus the Warriors on Thursday night in San Francisco, they too will sit a star LeBron James.

The team informed Wednesday afternoon that James, 35, would sit out against Golden State with left groin soreness. It’s just the third match the league’s assists leader and MVP contender (25.5 ppg, 10.6 apg, 7.7 rpg) has missed this season.

The news comes the day after a season-high 40 point effort by James, who was a ruthlessly efficient 17 for 27 from the field in Tuesday’s 118-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. He showed a full complement of offensive skills, from 3-point shooting (5 for 11) to highlight-reel dunks.

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The Lakers announced James’ absence after Wednesday’s media availability at practice, so the team could not be asked questions about it. But the Lakers’ priority to be “healthy and fresh” entering the postseason will likely be an increasing part of the equation when it comes to making such decisions.

“We’ll manage the last few months of the season to make sure those goals are met,” Coach Frank Vogel said earlier this month. “That is the priority: building the habits as strongly as possible throughout the regular season and have them win for you in the playoffs, and be as healthy and as fresh as you can be.”

As of Wednesday morning, the Lakers (44-12) had a five-game lead over the Western Conference field for the No. 1 seed. Meanwhile, the Warriors are languishing in the bottom of the standings at 12-46.

The Lakers are 1-1 in games without James.

He has missed time with groin soreness before, including a Dec. 22 loss at home to Denver. Last Christmas, James tore his left groin in a game versus the Warriors, which was the first major injury of his career. He missed more than a month with the injury, which scuttled both his and the team’s season.

Anthony Davis was listed as probable with left elbow soreness, which he suffered Tuesday night on a dunk attempt. The All-Star big man said he felt good after the game.

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