As he suspected Saturday night, early indications a day later were that LeBron James avoided a serious injury to his left groin muscle.

The 40-year-old James, who left Saturday’s loss to the Celtics in the fourth quarter, said after that he didn’t believe the injury to be as serious as the one he suffered in 2018 when he missed more than a month after hearing his groin muscle pop.

There were no signs Sunday morning that James’ initial assessment was inaccurate, though even minor groin injuries can take more than a week to heal.

No decision on a definitive timetable reportedly has been made other than to monitor the injury on a daily basis.

If James were to return after two weeks, there would be 12 games remaining in the regular season.

The Lakers are tied for second in the Western Conference.

College basketball: N.C. State fired men’s coach Kevin Keatts. It marked an abrupt end to an eight-year tenure and came less than a year after the Wolfpack’s improbable run to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship and the Final Four. The Wolfpack were 12-19 this season. Keatts went 151-113 at N.C. State, including 69-84 in ACC play.

NFL: The Bills released eight-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Von Miller, saving $8.4 million in salary cap space. The team still is open to bringing back Miller, who turns 36 later this month, ESPN reported. ... The Chiefs are re-signing LB Nick Bolton, 24, on a three-year, $45 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed at signing, ESPN reported.

Skiing: Mikaela Shiffrin set a World Cup record with her 156th finish on a race podium. Shiffrin faded to a third on her second run in Are, Sweden. She finished 0.19 seconds behind winner Katharina Truppe. The 29-year-old Shiffrin’s 156th top-3 result breaks a tie with Swedish great Ingemar Stenmark.