Los Angeles (AFP)

Lakers star winger Anthony Davis, who suffered a strained right calf from worsening Achilles tendon inflammation last Sunday, will be out for a month, coach Frank Vogel said.

"He will be without us for four weeks. We want to try to leave it all behind, protect him to make sure he's completely healed before he comes back," he said.

Thursday night, Davis was in civilian clothes on the Lakers bench to helplessly witness the defeat against Brooklyn (109-98).

And he was singularly missed by his team against his most serious rival in the East in the race for the title of champion.

"He's doing exactly what it takes to get back into the best form possible," said LeBron James.

"He has an injury that he can't have too much fun with, He will take his time, as much as he needs."

Last Sunday, he came out of the game lost in Denver (122-105) prematurely, Frank Vogel explaining that he had "re-aggravated his injury" around his right Achilles tendon, initially affected by tendonitis.

The next day, an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) revealed a strain just above, in the calf, and its absence was estimated at two or three weeks.

But doctors from the California team reassessed the situation and recommended a month's rest.

Which means he won't be able to play in the March 7 All-Star Game in Atlanta, for which he would have been selected by Utah coach Quin Snyder for sure, and the Lakers will finish the opening game without him. season.

Are still 7 matches until the break of March 3, including a rematch of the last final against Miami and move to Utah, current leader in the West.

A detrimental absence, given his offensive contribution (22.5 points on average) and his great defensive activity (8.4 rebounds).

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