A lingering groin injury will keep Jason Kidd out of the upcoming World Championships, which begin in three weeks in Indianapolis.

Kidd officially withdrew from Team USA yesterday, and his spot was given to the Hornets’ Baron Davis.

The injury originated during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Celtics, said Nets spokesman Gary Sussman. Kidd kept the injury quiet and apparently played at less than 100 percent in the NBA Finals against the Lakers.

Kidd reportedly injured the groin during the fourth quarter of the Nets’ clutch Game 4 victory against the Celtics.

After the Lakers swept the Nets in the Finals, Kidd said he’d see how he felt before committing to Team USA. By mid-July, Kidd’s agent was saying the point guard would definitely play. Team USA begins practices in 10 days, and the competition runs until Sept. 8, just three weeks before the Nets open training camp.

In a statement released yesterday, Kidd said he was “very disappointed” to withdraw. “I was excited and extremely honored to have been selected,” Kidd added. “I was looking forward to playing here in the U.S. with another outstanding group of players.”