Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry tries to dribble past Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James during the third quarter at Oracle Arena in Oakland, California, on Christmas Day.

OAKLAND, Calif. — While an MRI will answer how long LeBron James will be out, Stephen Curry’s recent groin injury could also offer insight on a possible timetable.

James strained his left groin during his Los Angeles Lakers’ 127-101 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night. The four-time NBA Most Valuable Player is scheduled to have an MRI on Wednesday in Los Angeles, but he didn’t rule out playing Thursday against the host Sacramento Kings.

Curry, however, missed 11 games for the Warriors earlier this season with a moderate left groin strain that was revealed during an MRI.

“That is one you can’t really rush. That is how I felt because it was such a delicate area.”

“You got to take those first four or five days, that was what my experience was, to make sure you don’t do any more damage,” Curry told The Undefeated. “You have to let the healing process start. That is one you can’t really rush. That is how I felt because it was such a delicate area.”

Curry suffered the injury on Nov. 8 while trying to defend a fast break against the Milwaukee Bucks. It was the first time the five-time All-Star suffered a groin injury in his career. The Warriors (23-12) were 5-6 while Curry was out.

Curry returned to action during the Warriors’ 111-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Dec. 1 and had 27 points on 10-of-21 shooting, making three of nine 3-point attempts in 37 minutes. Curry says it took a lot of rehabilitation and patience to return from his groin injury.

“The biggest frustration is that you get to a point where you are pain-free but you still have to be a little bit more cautious,” Curry said. “I don’t know the severity [of LeBron’s injury], but becoming pain-free is just one step. And then you have to ramp up your load on the court to make sure everything you do won’t set you back. That is the one thing that you can’t afford with that injury, is to keep reinjuring it.”

James has suffered a groin injury before, but not a severe one. The 14-time All-Star has never missed more than 15 games in a season during his 16-year career. He missed a career-high 13 games with the Cleveland Cavaliers during the 2014-15 season. The 6-foot-8, 250-pound forward has played in 1,176 career regular-season games and 239 playoff games.

James acknowledged he takes great pride in being healthy. Curry, who has missed his share of games to injury, respects James’ ironman reputation.

“Sixteen years in the league and I don’t know how many games he’s missed, but it’s not a lot,” Curry said. “That is the thing that he prides himself on, is being available. Everybody as a basketball player wants to be out there on the floor if you can help it. I’m sure the way he has taken care of his body is a big reason why he has been able to do it.”