The Los Angeles Lakers will have to wait a bit before they can get their veteran leader in LeBron James back on the floor. According to The Athletic‘s Shams Charania, the four-time MVP is expected to be out for several weeks after suffering a high right ankle sprain in their game against the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday.

Currently playing at 36 years old, James is expected to take his recovery seriously and not rush his return on the court. However, his extended absence will deal a hit to his candidacy in the ongoing MVP race this season.

James found himself in the conversation with his averages of 25.4 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 7.9 assists through 41 games played this season. He joined Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic as the frontrunners for the award. More than James' numbers, the stability and the veteran leadership that he brings to the Lakers are a vital component of the team's success.

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Although the Lakers are expected to lack in firepower for their coming games, James' absence will still pose a silver lining for guys like Talen Horton-Tucker. The 20-year-old swingman will definitely get more opportunities and further bump his numbers after recording 12.3 points, 3.6 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in eight contests so far in March. Horton-Tucker is looking to turn this opportunity into a bigger contract in the offseason.

Without All-Star players like LeBron James and Anthony Davis for the time being, the Lakers will definitely have to give their best effort as they seek to maintain their grip on the third spot in the West amid the absence of their two best players.