Before Los Angeles Lakers fans get their hopes up on LeBron James‘ return next week at home after JJ Redick told reporters in Milwaukee on Thursday, March 13, that his star forward is considered “day-to-day,” ESPN’s senior NBA insider Shams Charania pumped the brakes.

According to Charania, James is expected to miss more time with his left groin strain.

“This Saturday makes it one week,” Charania said on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Friday, March 14. “He’s not expected to play Sunday on ABC against the Phoenix Suns from what I’m told. I would expect him to still miss another week so that would put him at about two weeks.”

The Lakers have lost their last three games, including the game in Boston where James sustained the injury, to drop to fourth place in the loaded Western Conference. They are in danger of sliding further down in the standings with Luka Doncic also out at their Friday’s road game in Denver against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets.

The Lakers labeled Doncic’s absence as left calf injury management and right ankle sprain.

Without their top two stars, Redick will heavily lean on Austin Reaves, who scored 28 points on 10-of-17 shooting in their 126-106 loss to the Bucks. It was Reaves’ best game since he returned from a calf injury four games ago.

Aside from James and Doncic, the Lakers are also without Rui Hachimura (left patellar tendinopathy) and Jaxson Hayes (right knee contusion). James, Hachimura and Hayes all flew back to Los Angeles to continue their rehab.

Among James, Hachimura and Hayes, the latter two have greater chances to return next week, according to Charania.