Lakers C Bynum not cleared to play

Apr 10, 2008 - 9:26 PM EL SEGUNDO, California (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum won't be back this weekend.

The Lakers announced Thursday that Bynum, who is nursing a knee injury, has not been cleared to return to practice or to participate in contact drills.

Bynum, 20, was examined Wednesday by knee specialist Dr. David Altchek in New York and was expected to be available when Los Angeles hosts the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday.

But the Lakers have not officially set a timetable for Bynum's return.

"This should not be seen as a setback in any way," Altchek said. "Andrew will continue with his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers' training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status."

Bynum hasn't suited up since suffering the injury in a 100-99 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on January 13. The 7-footer averaged 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 35 games for Los Angeles this season.

The combination of Bynum and forward-center Paul Gasol, who was acquired from Memphis two months ago, was expected to propel the Lakers to the top of the Western Conference and make them the odds-on favorite to win an NBA title.

In the game against Memphis, Bynum went up for a rebound with nine minutes left in the third quarter and came down on the foot of teammate Lamar Odom, causing his left knee and ankle to turn awkwardly.

Bynum laid on the floor for a short while before leaving the court with the help of the team's training staff.

A third-year player who also averages 2.1 blocks, Bynum helped spur the Lakers to a 25-11 start this season.

A report in the Los Angeles Times last month stated that Bynum could return in two weeks. But Lakers coach Phil Jackson later said Bynum would be out for the rest of the regular season.

The Lakers (53-25) are tied with the Spurs for the second-best record in the Western Conference - two games behind the New Orleans Hornets (55-23) with four games left on the regular-season schedule.