Bynum still not cleared to practice

The countdown will have to begin anew for Andrew Bynum after his return was pushed back when the 20-year-old center saw a knee specialist Thursday in New York.

Bynum flew to see David Altchek after experiencing swelling in his left knee. He was not cleared to participate in practice or contact drills, and a timetable for his return was not provided.

Bynum is doubtful for the start of the playoffs, and Coach Phil Jackson acknowledged a “sense of disappointment” that Bynum would not play in the Lakers’ last three regular-season games. Earlier this week, Jackson said there was a chance Bynum would begin practicing Saturday and possibly play Sunday against San Antonio.

The Lakers hoped Bynum would wait another week to see if the swelling disappeared, but Bynum’s advisors wanted him to see the specialist Thursday.

“They pushed to go early,” Jackson said. “We wanted him to go next week. They really wanted to go.”

It appeared Bynum was working his way back into shape after beginning one-on-one workouts last week. He progressed from playing against assistant coaches to center Chris Mihm.

He acknowledged that his knee was swollen after he flew with the team to Sacramento last Saturday. Bynum was not available for comment Thursday, although Altchek released a statement through the Lakers.

“Andrew will continue with his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers’ training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status,” said Altchek, who has been Bynum’s doctor for years and is the medical director for the New York Mets.

The initial time frame for Bynum’s return was at least eight weeks from the time of the injury, which occurred in a Jan. 13 game against Memphis. Week 13 in his recovery begins Sunday.

Bynum sustained a bone bruise in his left knee and briefly dislocated his kneecap in the January game.

Jackson, who said earlier this week that Bynum would be useful to combat larger centers such as Shaquille O’Neal, scoffed when asked if Bynum would be shut down for the rest of the season.

“I don’t think anybody would even consider that,” he said. “If he’s able to play and contribute, you want him to contribute.”

The Lakers play their last regular-season game Tuesday and will begin the playoffs April 19 or, more likely, April 20.

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Time is running out for the Lakers to earn the top seeding in the Western Conference, although they can make up ground tonight against New Orleans.

The second-place Lakers (54-25) trail the Hornets (55-23) by 1 1/2 games in the standings. The Lakers have three regular-season games left, the Hornets have four.

The Hornets currently lead the season series, 2-1, which is the first tiebreaker for playoff seeding. If the Hornets and Lakers finish with the same overall record and are tied in the season series, the next tiebreaker would be conference record. New Orleans is 33-15 in the West and the Lakers are 34-15.

The game also gives most-valuable-player voters a chance to see two of the front-runners for the award -- Kobe Bryant and New Orleans guard Chris Paul.

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Forward Trevor Ariza will visit a doctor today to see if he is cleared to begin practicing. Ariza has been sidelined since Jan. 20 because of a broken bone in his right foot. . . . Jackson was asked if Bryant’s off-season demand to be traded inspired the Lakers to play better this season. “No I don’t,” he said. “I think that he was anxious. He spoke out of anger at some point.”

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TONIGHT

vs. New Orleans, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- 570; 1330.

Records -- Lakers 54-25; Hornets 55-23.

Record vs. Hornets -- 1-2.

Update -- The Hornets suffered a rare loss at home Tuesday against Utah, 77-66, but rebounded with an easy 122-90 victory Wednesday at Minnesota.

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mike.bresnahan@latimes.com