Kobe Bryant is facing another long spell on the sidelines after sustaining a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee earlier this week that will likely keep him out for six weeks.

Bryant sustained the knee injury during their 96-92 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night. An MRI on Thursday confirmed the knee fracture, dealing the Lakers another setback this season.

The 35-year-old superstar, who just signed a lucrative two-year deal worth $48.5 million in November, just played in his first six games this season after recovering from an Achilles tendon injury he sustained last season.

"That's too bad," Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said in a statement via ESPN. "You hate it for Kobe. He worked so hard to get back. But he'll be back. He'll be back in six weeks, and we'll deal with it and weather the storm until he gets back."

D'Antoni also played down speculation that the injury could have been avoided had the Lakers waited several weeks more before allowing Bryant to return from the Achilles injury.

"There's always a risk until he gets completely used to playing. But the doctors were all over it. Nah, that's just bad luck," D'Antoni said.

The injury won't require surgery, however, and it will just be a matter of letting the bone heal, which is a good news for the Lakers. Bryant, who averaged 13.8 points and 6.3 assists in six games this season, vowed to work hard and return stronger once he recovers from the latest setback.

"All I can do is do the work. And do everything I can to be back at the highest level," Bryant said.

The injury will force the Lakers to make big adjustments anew since they are still missing point guards Steve Nash, Steve Blake, and Jordan Farmar. Shooting guard Xavier Henry is expected to take point guard duties in their upcoming games.

Nash, who has yet to play since Nov. 10 due to a back injury, could make his return soon though. The 39-year-old veteran said that he is feeling close to 100 percent after practicing for three days with the team earlier this month and he also vowed to prove his doubters wrong.

"I want to play, I still love to play, and I still feel like I have the skills to do it. I'd like to finish my career on a positive note. I'm just fighting every day to get that little bit of joy from playing basketball and being one of the guys, running up and down the court and trying to beat somebody. That's what keeps me going every day," Nash said.