Lakers: Anthony Davis sprained foot, out at least 4 weeks

The Los Angeles Lakers announced on Thursday that forward Anthony Davis has a mid-foot sprain and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.

Davis sustained the injury during Wednesday's win over the Utah Jazz. He severely rolled his right ankle and fell to the court after catching a pass near the rim in the second quarter. He remained on the floor in obvious pain before he was eventually helped off the court. He couldn't put any weight on his injured leg.

X-rays taken on Wednesday were negative. He had an MRI on Thursday that revealed the foot sprain.

The diagnosis confirms the second extended injury absence for Davis this season. He missed 17 games after spraining his left MCL on Dec. 17. Injuries limited Davis to 36 games during the 2020-21 season. The 10-year NBA veteran has played more than 70 regular-season games just twice in his career.

An eight-time All-Star, Davis is one of the game's best players when healthy. He's averaged 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 1.2 steals in 37 games this season. The 27-31 Lakers have fared about as well without Davis as with him, going 9-11 in games that he's missed. But they're obviously a more formidable team when he's on the floor.

His injury is a significant blow as they look to secure a playoff spot down the stretch. The Lakers enter the All-Star break in ninth place, 2.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. They're six games behind the 33-25 Denver Nuggets, who would clinch the final guaranteed playoff spot if the postseason started Wednesday. If Davis were able to return on March 18, the Lakers would have 13 games remaining in the regular season.