Mailman not expected to deliver until at least mid-March

El Segundo, CA (Basketball News) - Los Angeles Lakers forward Karl Malone is not expected back in the lineup until at least mid-March, as his injured right knee has been slow to heal.

Malone, who is on the injured list for the first time in his career, originally hurt the knee on December 21. The team hoped to have him back just after the All-Star break, but the knee has not responded to treatment as quickly as expected.

"We have to do an extended healing process," said head coach Phil Jackson. "The swelling in the knee has to go down for him to heal that knee up, and it’s not happening as rapidly as we wanted."

The 40-year-old Malone, who had not missed more than two games in any of his previous 18 seasons, is averaging 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds over 24 contests for the Lakers this season.