LeBron James sends positive message to fans after injuring ankle

The Los Angeles Lakers will be without LeBron James for the time being.

Los Angeles was already shorthanded due to the leg injury to star big man Anthony Davis, which has kept him out the last month-plus. Now without the best player in all of basketball, the Lakers will be tested as they try to stay afloat in a crowded Western Conference.

The Lakers entered the day in the third slot in the West, tied with the Phoenix Suns for second, and 2.5 games behind the Utah Jazz for homecourt advantage. It seems unlikely they’ll make up that ground on Utah without their two best players.

Lakers must have next man up mentality moving forward

LeBron understands the challenge in front of the Lakers. While relieved not to be out for the rest of the season, James tweeted about his disappointment of missing time in the middle of a potential MVP campaign.

“Nothing angers and saddens me more than not being available to and for my teammates! I’m hurt inside and out right now. The road back from recovery begins now. Back soon like I never left,” James tweeted.

James is listed as out indefinitely. Unfortunately, that ambiguous title leaves much to the imagination, meaning LeBron could miss anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. His timetable is fully dependent on how his body heals, and given his advanced age at this point in his career, expect the Lakers to be cautious.

In the meantime, Los Angeles will rely heavily on the likes of Kyle Kuzma, Montrezl Harrell and others to carry the load in the King’s absence.