Results of an MRI on Andrew Bynum’s right knee showed a tear of the medial collateral ligament, it was announced today. Bynum, who suffered the injury early in the first quarter of Saturday’s victory over Memphis after having scored seven of the Lakers' first 13 points, will be out approximately 8-12 weeks.

The MRI was performed Sunday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York and Bynum was examined this afternoon by Dr. David Altchek.

Bynum ranks among league leaders in rebounds (19th/8.2), field goal percentage (8th/.558), blocked shots (6th /1.87) and double-doubles (17th/16). Named Western Conference Player of the Week for games played Monday, Jan. 19 through Sunday, Jan. 25, Bynum is averaging 14.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 1.87 blocked shots in 46 games this season.

Accoring to the L.A. Times, Bynum will miss at least 27 of the team's final 36 regular-season games and might not return until the playoffs. He will rest the knee for the next seven to 10 days and will then begin rehabilitating it. Surgery is not required for this type of injury, said Lakers spokesman John Black.

Earlier on Monday, Bryant told the L.A. Times he thought the Lakers had enough talent to win a championship even if Bynum's prognosis wasn't favorable.

"We do," Bryant said. "There's been plenty of teams who lost in the Finals that go back and win the next year. I think having Andrew in the lineup makes us a very dominant team. [With] him out of the lineup, we're still a great team. You put him in the mix and it takes us to another level."

Bryant said the Lakers were "better prepared" to handle playoff success this season.

"A lot of guys, and Pau, it was his first time out of the first round," Bryant said. "A lot of things were new. I think having a year of experience and also learning a lot from the [Finals], now we take those lessons and apply them to this season."