(Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – Andrew Bynum’s debut with the 76ers has been pushed back yet again, but at least there’s more clarity regarding his injury this time around.

The Sixers released a statement Monday following a morning shootaround, saying the All-Star center underwent an MRI on his afflicted right knee Nov. 5, after which Bynum’s doctor David Altchek extended Bynum’s return date by an additional three weeks. If everything holds true, Bynum is expected to resume basketball activities by Dec. 10. From there, it’d be an additional one to four weeks before Bynum – who has a bone bruise – could resume game play in “significant minutes.”

That timetable would put Bynum’s debut with the Sixers at somewhere between mid-December and early January.

Bynum, after his latest appointment with Altchek, was cleared for a regimen of low-impact exercise of two weeks, followed by three weeks of training and conditioning on an antigravity treadmill.

“We know that Sixers fans are eager to see Andrew Bynum play and shine in a 76ers uniform,” Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo said in a statement. “We also know that no one is more eager to see Andrew play for the Sixers than Andrew himself. He fully realizes the key contribution he can make to the team. Hopefully, that day is coming soon."

Bynum is expected to address reporters Monday night, prior to the Sixers’ game against visiting Milwaukee.

A two-time NBA champion, who averaged 18.7 points and 11.8 rebounds a year ago with the Los Angeles Lakers, has yet to practice with the Sixers, who acquired him in a four-team trade in August.

Second-year center Lavoy Allen, who’s been starting in the spot Bynum will assume upon return, said he keeps close tabs on Bynum’s status.

"Because he's my teammate,” Allen said. “I wonder about his condition. No matter when he comes back, I'm still trying to help my team win games."

Jason Richardson, who will start tonight after missing three games with a left ankle sprain, understands it might be a while before Bynum gets back.

“We definitely want him out there, but we know it’s going to take him some time,” said Richardson. “As a team, we really want him out there. But at the same time, we have to keep moving forward with what we’ve got.

“It’s going to be arms all open and hugs and stuff when he gets back. And when he gets back, we’re going to be that much better a team.”

Bynum is making $16.4 million in the final year of his contract.