LeBron James won't play vs. Rockets; Lakers cite sore groin

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. --  Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James is out for Thursday's game against the Houston Rockets because of his right groin, the team announced.

James, 35, missed 27 games last season because of a groin injury suffered Christmas Day. This season, he sat out games in December and February for the same reason.

James has averaged 33.5 minutes in the Lakers' four games since the season restart, scoring nearly 20 points per game.

Rockets point guard Russell Westbrook is listed as questionable due to a right quadriceps contusion. A source told ESPN that Westbrook is expected to sit out Thursday.

Backup guard Alex Caruso (neck muscle spasms) is questionable for Thursday.  Anthony Davis (sprained right ankle), Markieff Morris (left hip contusion), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (right ribs contusion) and Dwight Howard (sore right knee) are probable.

The Lakers, who have already clinched the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, are 2-2 in the Orlando bubble and have struggled on offense. They are the only team out of the 22 participating in the restart averaging less than 100 points per game.

Information from ESPN's Tim MacMahon was used in this report.