Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James has been ruled out of Thursday's NBA showdown with the Houston Rockets.

The Western Conference-leading Lakers cited a sore right groin for James' absence against the Rockets at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

James – who endured a difficult first season in Los Angeles after suffering a groin injury on Christmas Day in 2018 – posted 19 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 105-86 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.

The four-time NBA MVP and three-time champion is averaging 25.3 points, 10.3 assists and 8.0 rebounds per game this season.

James and the Lakers (51-16) have already clinched the top seed in the west as the Los Angeles franchise prepare for their first playoff appearance since 2013.