Andrew Bynum and Lakers coach Phil Jackson confirmed pretty much what everyone had expected anyway, and that was that Bynum won't play again this season.

Bynum has been out since Jan. 13 with a left kneecap injury that the Lakers originally said would keep the 20-year-old center out a minimum of 12 weeks.

Bynum said Friday he was told by the doctors he would be out ``four to six months'' before he might be able to play.

Bynum indicated that he's 11 days away from the four-month mark.

When asked after the Lakers' practice Friday if he would play this season, Bynum responded by saying, ``No, I don't think so.''

Bynum said the best scenario would be the Lakers reaching the NBA Finals -- the earliest day it could start would June 3, the latest June 5 -- and that he might be able to play then.

But he also indicated that he probably wouldn't be in shape if that were to happen.

Bynum missed the last 46 regular-season games and all four Western Conference first-round playoff games against the Denver Nuggets.

When asked if Bynum might not play again this season, Jackson said:

``I was pretty much resigned to that fact since March on.''

-- Broderick Turner
-- bturner@PE.com

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