LeBron James’ absence from the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Nuggets in Denver had fans fuming and reviving an age-old debate.

Out with a groin injury, fans had come to terms with James not being on the court for the purple and gold. However, diehards expected the four-time NBA champion to at least be on the sideline supporting his team.

Ahead of Friday’s game, NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed that James opted to travel to Sacramento to watch his son Bryce’s championship game as Sierra Canyon took on Lincoln Stockton.

The decision had fans using his reasons to bring up the GOAT debate with Michael Jordan, claiming the Chicago Bulls legend would never skip a game.

‘MJ the goat for a damn reason,’ one user wrote.

‘MJ would have never called of to watch his son work,’ another quipped with a picture of Marcus Jordan appearing to put drugs up his nose.

LeBron James got slammed on social media for skipping a Lakers game for his son Bryce 

Bryce helped Sierra Canyon win the California State Division I тιтle against Lincoln Stockton

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‘Mike n Kobe played injured and sick consistently through out their careers,’ a third chimed in. ‘Discipline and being a team player is where james fails and will never be the goat. Calling this guy the goat is comical. To be the goat it is not only on the court but off the court as well.’

‘Perfectly timed “ groin “ injury ! Bro just addicted to the lights ATP … go head home and be with your family then lol,’ said a fourth. ‘What else is there to accomplish other than headlines ?’

While many fumed and ripped James for skipping the Nuggets game, which Denver won 131-126, many others praised him for his parenting.

It would prove to be worthwhile as Bryce and the Trailblazers secured the California Division I state тιтle with a 58-53 win.

After ascending to the second seed in the Western Conference, the Lakers have dropped their last three games with James sidelined for two of those losses. Reports suggest that King James could be out for several weeks.

James traveled with the Lakers to Brooklyn before losing to the Nets and headed back to California as the team flew to Milwaukee in the next game. NBA legend and analyst Charles Barkley boldly claimed James already played his last game this season.

The Lakers have dropped their last three games as James and Luka Doncic deal with injuries 

‘LeBron is probably out for the rest of the season,’ Barkley said on TNT. ‘I don’t see him coming back.’

‘He stayed in New York ’cause it’s New York, and he didn’t want to go to Milwaukee because it’s Milwaukee. It has got nothing to do with elevation or any of that stuff.’

The Lakers had high hopes of a deep playoff run after acquiring Luka Doncic from Dallas. However, the optimism has dissolved as their stars have dealt with injuries with about a month left in the regular season.

LA sits fifth in the West with a 40-25 record behind the Memphis Grizzlies and ahead of the Golden State Warriors.