LOS ANGELES (AP) -Lakers center Andrew Bynum, expected to be sidelined until at least the middle of March, expressed both disappointment and optimism in his first interview since injuring his left knee.
“It’s serious because I’m going to miss two months. At the same time, it’s not because it’s nothing that’s going to affect my future,” Bynum told reporters shortly before Thursday night’s game against the Phoenix Suns.
The 20-year-old Bynum, who leads the NBA in field-goal percentage, was injured early in the third quarter of Sunday night’s 100-99 victory over Memphis when he landed on teammate Lamar Odom’s left foot while going for a rebound.
MRI tests and an examination Monday by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo revealed Bynum had temporarily dislocated his kneecap and suffered a bone bruise.
“I can’t do anything. It’s terrible,” Bynum said. “I have to sit on the couch all day. I have to take it one step at a time. I think I’ll have about 10 games when I come back. If I can come back before that, it’s great. It’s going to take me a little bit of time to get into my rhythm.”
A third-year pro taken by the Lakers with the 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft, Bynum is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.06 blocked shots, and has made 189 of his 297 field-goal attempts (63.6 percent). He’s the league’s 11th-leading rebounder and ninth-best shot-blocker.
The Lakers (26-11) had won seven straight – their longest winning streak in almost four years – and 17 of 20 entering Thursday night’s game against the Suns. They beat Seattle 123-121 in overtime Monday night in their first game after Bynum went out.
“That was the worst,” he said of having to watch the game at Seattle on TV instead of playing.
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