Andrew Bynum NOT Cleared To Play or even Practice
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Injured Lakers center Andrew Bynum saw a knee specialist in New York and still hasn't been cleared to practice, the team announced Thursday.
Bynum
"This should not be seen as a setback in any way," said Dr. David Altcheck, who examined Bynum on Wednesday. "Andrew will continue his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers' training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status."
Bynum has been out since Jan. 13, when he dislocated his left kneecap and bruised a bone landing on a teammate's foot while going for a rebound.
No target date has been given for Bynum's return, though he has been widely expected to miss the team's final two regular-season games and return sometime during the playoffs.
Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday there was a chance Bynum might return for a Sunday game against the San Antonio Spurs, but called it a "long shot" and said it depended on his returning to practice by Saturday, which the team had hoped for.
Bynum was having a breakout season when he was injured, averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.06 blocked shots in his third year. He was leading the NBA in field goal percentage (63.6 percent) and was among the best in rebounds and blocks.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Bynum"This should not be seen as a setback in any way," said Dr. David Altcheck, who examined Bynum on Wednesday. "Andrew will continue his therapy program and workouts with the Lakers' training staff and will continue to be monitored until he can return to playing status."
Bynum has been out since Jan. 13, when he dislocated his left kneecap and bruised a bone landing on a teammate's foot while going for a rebound.
No target date has been given for Bynum's return, though he has been widely expected to miss the team's final two regular-season games and return sometime during the playoffs.
Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday there was a chance Bynum might return for a Sunday game against the San Antonio Spurs, but called it a "long shot" and said it depended on his returning to practice by Saturday, which the team had hoped for.
Bynum was having a breakout season when he was injured, averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.06 blocked shots in his third year. He was leading the NBA in field goal percentage (63.6 percent) and was among the best in rebounds and blocks.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
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