Lakers’ LeBron James to rest vs. Warriors

Lakers forward LeBron James will miss Saturday evening’s game against the Warriors due to load management.

James returned Thursday from a groin injury that sidelined him for 17 games, posting 24 points, 14 rebounds and nine assists in 40 minutes of an overtime win over the Clippers. Los Angeles head coach Luke Walton told reporters Saturday that James "woke up pretty sore."

In his first season with the Lakers, James, 34, is averaging 27.2 points on 51.5 percent shooting, 7.2 assists and 8.5 rebounds. Los Angeles currently sits ninth in the Western Conference standings at 27-25.

Connor Letourneau is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cletourneau@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @Con_Chron