The Los Angeles Lakers hot start cooled off immensely since LeBron James suffered a serious groin injury. While the Lakers climbed to fourth in the West, within striking distance of the conference-leading Denver Nuggets, the minute that LeBron went down, the losses started pouring in. Since James' injury, the Lakers have lost all but one game. The team they beat -- the Sacramento Kings -- even beating them two games earlier. Now, with LeBron still on the sidelines injured, the Lakers are one loss away from dropping below the bubble.

They have lost to the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Oklahoma City Thunder, New York Knicks, and Minnesota Timberwolves.

The worst part is that the Knicks have only won 10 games and both the Kings and Timberwolves have closed in on the Lakers in the Western Conference race. Things look bleak, but Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant is telling fans not to worry.

Kobe Bryant on LeBron James' injury woes

LeBron James might not return from his injury until Wednesday or Friday of this week, meaning the Lakers need to get past the Dallas Mavericks -- another team that is hot on their tails. Kobe Bryant tells the Los Angeles Lakers faithful that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

As Kobe said, it isn't just LeBron James that is injured for the Los Angeles Lakers -- but a ton of players.

The Lakers mounting injuries

LeBron James has missed six straight games and the Dallas Mavericks game tonight will be number seven. Los Angeles Lakers fans knew the team would struggle without their best player but there were no expectations they would go 1-5 in the games without James -- especially against teams like the New York Knicks.

However, it isn't just LeBron James that is hurt. Rajon Rondo is out for the second time this season -- this time missing four to five weeks to repair a sprained ligament existing on his shooting hand.

Even worse, Kyle Kuzma is hurt, suffering a back contusion against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Lakers were winning by four heading into the fourth but lost without Kuzma there to help them.

The good news is that Kuzma is traveling with the team and might be a game-time decision against the Mavericks tonight.

This means that players like Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball need to step up but head coach Luke Walton said that they need to show more passion of they want to lead the Los Angeles Lakers while LeBron James is out injured.
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