LeBron James won’t be back on an NBA court anytime soon.

ESPN reported the following Wednesday:

LeBron James will miss at least the next two games for the Lakers as he continues to rehabilitate a strained left groin, his agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports, told ESPN on Tuesday. James has missed the past 11 games since suffering the injury on Christmas Day at the Golden State Warriors, and the Lakers have gone 4-7 in his absence, including Tuesday’s 107-100 win against the hapless Chicago Bulls at Staples Center.

This is turning into a really bad situation for the Los Angeles Lakers. As I’ve said many times before, the NBA and his team need him back ASAP.

He’s the face of the league, the most popular player and it’s just not the same product when he’s sitting on the bench. I’m not saying you have to be a fan of him, but there’s no doubt that my assessment is correct.

The NBA is much better when he’s playing than when he’s not. That’s just a fact.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 22, 2018 at 9:19am PST

Now, they still shouldn’t rush him back. Let his groin injury heal and then get him back. Better to have him play in a few months than rushing back to only hurt himself more. That would seem like common sense.

The unfortunate part for Lakers fans is that their season is going to be pretty much shot if he misses a couple more weeks. (RELATED: Los Angeles Lakers Star LeBron James Expected To Miss Several More Games)

They’re right on the playoff edge right now, but that won’t last long if a losing streak without LeBron continues. You can take that to the bank. They drop five or six more games in a short span, and the Lakers will be in massive trouble.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Nov 8, 2018 at 8:50am PST

Heal up, LeBron. The league needs you more than you probably know.