Kobe Bryant has been told that he is likely to be out of action for six weeks with a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee.

The Los Angeles Lakers confirmed the news on Thursday following speculation over the veteran's condition after he suffered the injury in Tuesday's win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

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

Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni said to reporters: "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."

Bryant has only recently returned to the court following an eight-month absence due to an Achilles injury.