Los Angeles Lakers starting center Andrew Bynum will be sidelined for between eight and 12 weeks because of a right knee injury, the team said Monday.

Bynum, a pivotal player for the Western Conference-leading Lakers this season, tore his medial collateral ligament in the first quarter of Saturday's 115-98 win against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The seven-foot center fell to the court after team mate Kobe Bryant, driving to the basket, missed the shot before landing awkwardly and crashing into Bynum's right leg.

Bynum, 21, had an MRI scan before being examined by a surgeon in New York.

The Lakers (37-9) will be bidding for a third consecutive victory on a six-game road trip when they take on the New York Knicks (21-25) later on Monday at Madison Square Garden.

Bynum has averaged 26.2 points on 65.3 percent shooting, 13.8 rebounds and 3.20 blocked shots in his last five games.

He ranks sixth in the league with blocked shots (1.87) and eighth in field goal percentage (.558).

"Everybody's just upset for him and disappointed for him," league MVP Bryant told reporters of Bynum, who missed the final 46 games of last season through injury.