Rumor: Bynum might play Sunday

PORTLAND, Ore. — Andrew Bynum might make his highly anticipated return in a home game Sunday against San Antonio, Coach Phil Jackson said.

“There’s a chance,” Jackson said. “It would have to be under a situation in which he could practice on Saturday in a way that would convince me to play him on Sunday. Right now, we’re certainly not counting on that. It’s just really a longshot.”

Bynum will need to show he can move well “in traffic” at practice, Jackson said. The next morning will also be important in determining how Bynum’s knee reacts to a full practice.

Bynum would come off the bench if he played Sunday and would almost surely be limited in his minutes. He has not played since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee and a brief dislocation of the kneecap Jan. 13 against Memphis.

Bynum has not gone through a full practice yet, although he has taken turns playing one-on-one against Chris Mihm and assistant coaches Kurt Rambis and Brian Shaw.

Bynum is averaging 13.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocked shots a game. He averaged 17.3 points, 12.2 rebounds and 2.3 blocked shots in six games in January before getting hurt.

The Lakers have one regular-season game after Sunday, playing host to Sacramento next Tuesday.

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