Lakers C Bynum likely done for season

May 3, 2008 - 12:02 AM LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum is unlikely to return to the lineup this postseason, according to a report in Friday's Los Angeles Times.

Bynum has been out since January 13 with a bone bruise in his left knee and a subluxation of the kneecap - a brief dislocation which popped back into the socket.

According to the report, there have been no plans for Bynum to start practicing any time soon. The Lakers finished off a sweep of the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference first round on Monday.

If Los Angeles advances to the NBA Finals, the earliest Bynum would be available is June 3.

"I doubt there's going to be a comeback this year," Bynum told the newspaper. "I've got to get my knee straight. At this point, I'd have to train for a good month just to be able to go out there and play."

Bynum told the newspaper there is no swelling in the knee, but that it is painful.

"It's frustrating because I can do everything but what pertains to basketball - running and jumping, defensive slides," said the 20-year-old Bynum, who averaged 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds in 35 games this season.

Bynum's absence makes the midseason trade for Pau Gasol even more significant. Gasol, who was acquired on February 1, figured to team with Bynum and give the Lakers a formidable frontline to go with two-time scoring champion Kobe Bryant.

Without Bynum, Gasol still averaged 22.2 points and 9.0 rebounds in the four-game sweep of Denver.