12:46a.m. EST March 28, 2013: After the San Antonio Spurs' 130-102 victory over the Sacramento Kings Friday, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said All-Star point Tony Parker will be out for "a while."Turns out, a while is about four weeks. An MRI on Parker's left ankle confirmed a grade 2 sprain, the team said in a news release Saturday.

It's a tough loss for the Spurs, who have the league's best record at 46-14. Parker has been San Antonio's best player this season and is an long-shot MVP candidate, averaging 21.0 points, 7.6 assists and 3.1 rebounds a game. He is shooting 53.3% from the field and 37.9% on three-pointers.

He has carried the Spurs while center Tim Duncan and guard Manu Ginobili have been in and out the lineup with ailments. In February, Parker averaged 26.1 points, 8.3 assists, four rebounds and shot 54% from the field.

"He's been a stalwart for us," Popovich told reporters Friday night. "He's having an All-Star season. As I've said, he's playing better than any other point guard in the league consistently through the year. We will miss him."

Parker sustained the injury in the third quarter and left the game with 13 points and seven assists.

Approximately a month puts Parker's return at March 30, the day before the Spurs play a home game against the Miami Heat, a contest which could play a factor in home-court advantage in a potential finals matchup.