Kobe Bryant injury: Lakers' re-evaluating Bryant in 3 weeks

Don't expect Kobe Bryant to return any time soon. Bryant is still experiencing pain, swelling and soreness in his knee and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team officially announced. Bryant was diagnosed with a knee fracture on Dec. 19 and has been out since.

The team initially announced a six-week timetable for his return, but the the recovery process has taken longer than expected. It's been nine weeks since Bryant suffered the injury and it will be 12 weeks before he is re-evaluated. There's no telling what the update will be in mid-March.

The final game of the 2013-2014 Lakers season is on April 16, raising the question as to whether Bryant will play again this season. The re-evaluation could go well, but missing a huge chunk of games after recovering from an Achilles tear could create a longer rehab period to ensure he's ready for game action again.

Bryant's extended absence, especially while both Nick Young and Xavier Henry miss time, was likely one of the deciding factors in the Lakers acquiring both Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks from the Golden State Warriors. Young is expected to return to the Lakers' lineup on Sunday while Henry has been cleared to ramp up basketball activities.