Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

The Los Angeles Lakers knew they would be without Anthony Davis for some time, but a new report suggests the forward’s absence could be even longer than anticipated.

Davis sprained his right foot in the final game before the All-Star break, and he was initially set to be evaluated in four weeks. However, the Lakers are concerned that Davis could wind up missing another four to five weeks as of now, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

That timeline would ensure that Davis does not return until very close to the playoffs. For the Lakers, that could be troubling, as the team currently sits ninth in the Western Conference. That could consign them to a play-in game.

The Lakers are only 17-20 with Davis in the lineup this season, so it isn’t as if he’s the key to their success — or lack thereof in this campaign. Still, the longer his absence is, the more responsibility will fall on players who appear a little out of their depth.

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