Bynum injury not considered serious; he'll play this weekend
Lakers center Andrew Bynum has a bone bruise on his right knee but is expected to play in the Lakers' playoff opener Saturday or Sunday.
Bynum was injured in the second quarter of the Lakers' 102-93 victory Tuesday over San Antonio. He stepped on the foot of Spurs center DeJuan Blair while running downcourt to play defense.
Bynum left the game but reported feeling better after it ended. An MRI exam Wednesday confirmed the bruise, and the injury was "not deemed to be serious," according to a statement sent out by the Lakers.
Matt Barnes also had an MRI on his right knee and is expected to play this weekend. He sat out Tuesday's game after reporting soreness in the knee. Barnes had torn cartilage repaired in the knee in January.
Neither Barnes nor Bynum will play Wednesday in Sacramento, the Lakers' regular-season finale.
The Lakers will play either Portland, New Orleans or Memphis in the first round.
-- Mike Bresnahan
Photo: Lakers center Andrew Bynum walks off the floor with trainer Gary Vitti after injuring his knee in Tuesday's game against the Spurs. Credit: Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Finally, some REAL news!
Great to hear that both Socks and Matty will be ready to do damage come this weekend.
Posted by: mclyne | April 13, 2011 at 02:04 PM
GREAT NEWS! BUT.....I won't be at ease until I see Bynum ON THE COURT. I've been duped by overly optimistic reports from his past injuries too many times.
Tonight's game is a must win. I agree with LRob, that Memphis does now want the Lakers in the first round, and I will not be surprised to see thm lose to the Clippers tonight.
Posted by: LAKER TRUTH | April 13, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Finally! Great News! Back to Basketball!
Hopefully Drew won't be watching over his shoulder, worrying about re-injury. Sometimes these injuries can have more of a psychological on a player's game.
STAY STRONG DREW! REMEMBER THAT "YOU ARE 'THE BEAST'!" SO CONTINUE TO PLAY LIKE IT AND YOU'LL BE FINE!!!!!!
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 02:07 PM
Oh, joyous rapture!
DBDH!
Posted by: Don't Blame Del Harris! | April 13, 2011 at 02:09 PM
Hoping for New Orleans in the first round.
The Lakers will beat whoever they face, but they'd probably go a max of 5 games with the Hornets, thus giving them a bit more rest before the second round.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 13, 2011 at 02:11 PM
BTW...
If the Lakers win tonight, they'll finish with a 57-25 record... same as last season.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 13, 2011 at 02:15 PM
Good news.
Posted by: phred | April 13, 2011 at 02:16 PM
FCM- some really offensive comments still sticking around here. I'm sure we can take this to it's logical conclusion, or perhaps ironic conclusion...well, lets just say i don't think GLAAD would have a great opinion of some of the people posting comments here.
Posted by: phred | April 13, 2011 at 02:17 PM
thank god.
Posted by: mud | April 13, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Its time again for Lakers Basketball........Now back to the real business of the day. "Must beat the Kings (Anaheim Royals) tonight!"
Posted by: Fatty | April 13, 2011 at 02:19 PM
LTLF,
I agree with you.
Posted by: D(erek)J(eter) | April 13, 2011 at 02:19 PM
"Finally! Great News! Back to Basketball!
Hopefully Drew won't be watching over his shoulder, worrying about re-injury. Sometimes these injuries can have more of a psychological on a player's game.
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 02:07 PM
"
Ditto! Finally! I was about to quit this blog for a few days until the PC rants went away and we got back to basketball. I have tried on 3 different posts to stir up some basketball dialogue, but no takers. That is why I no longer live in CA - too much wasted time on PC and social issues and less real life productivity.
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 02:19 PM
I thought this question from ESPN's chat today was pretty funny:
"Paul (Houston)
LA-Miami NBA Finals: Can you think of a championship in any sport ever that would be so highly anticipated AND have most of the nation outside the two cities not really wanting either team to win?"
LOL
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 13, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Hopefully we get our full crew back by Sunday and get a win against whomever.
Last I checked, Kobe is a basketball player and not an elective office bound politician. His anger was explained in my post several threads ago for those who have a reality based perspective and not some agenda either way. "Let the first among you who is without sin cast the first stone." Somebody said that...........can't remember who............hhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm
JC
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 02:24 PM
If we draw the Hornets, I see a sweep.
If it's Memphis, they eeek out one win.
Posted by: mclyne | April 13, 2011 at 02:25 PM
OK, so I have another topic:
Who do you think the Lakers will put on their playoff limited roster? & why or why not?
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 02:28 PM
TOO MANY THREADS HERE - MORE IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER
Compost Repost
http://deadspin.com/#!5791516/kobe-bryant-calls-a-ref-something-he-shouldnt-nsfw
Am not here to criticize or endorse what a basketball player said to a referee in the heat of the moment during a critical game.
This whole political correctness game is little more than a method right out of the Rand Corporation to control people who are inclined to be controlled,
which is most people, especially those who think they are intelligent.
What the Saint said was not nice.
Some people are (or want to believe they are) offended by it.
The real crime, in my view, is clear as day in the video clip.
Just based on his actions, no words, he should be fined and suspended.
Almost any other player in the league would certainly be looking at some
forced time off.
Now...to more pressing matters.
Final game of the season.
Could it have been scripted more perfectly.
Lakers need the game badly.
If the Mavs win,
a loss by the Lakers tonight could cost you a championship.
It may be the last game the Sacramento Kings ever play.
Nuff said.
It will poetic justice when the Sacramento Kings of Basketball,
wipe your Hollywood sissies up with the floor tonight.
Bynum - Gasol?
Doesn't matter.
Soon to be superstar DMC will dominate either.
Go Sacramento Kings of Basketball!
Sonnybelfast
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | April 13, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Posted by: Sonnybelfast | April 13, 2011 at 02:29 PM
Who would have thought that the 82nd game of this year would be the biggest game of the regular season? Dropping to the 3rd seed and having to face Portland with a possibly limited and non-100% Bynum could be disasterous.
Posted by: Bay to LA | April 13, 2011 at 02:30 PM
More than anything else, I am so Happy for Bynum!
It seemed like "night and day" literally and figuratively!!
Posted by: LakerPeace | April 13, 2011 at 02:39 PM
Fatty
Good to see you after a long time away. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.
BLOG CRUE
I literally took off some time during the Lake Show slump but am itching for some basketball action. Last night's game was ugly but we'll take the win. FOCUS Lake Show!
MYBRF
Posted by: Hugo Boss | April 13, 2011 at 02:40 PM
More than anything else...I am so Happy for Bynum!!!
It seemed like "Night and Day" literally and figuratively!
Posted by: LakerPeace | April 13, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Thank God, thank God, thank God.
It was a good sign when he could walk off the court with barely a limp, but I was at that game last night and I felt sick to my stomach when he went down. We need Bynum this year more than ever, and he's worked so hard that he deserves to be a central part of one of these championship runs.
Posted by: puddle | April 13, 2011 at 02:42 PM
Wow... My heart really sank when I saw Bynum go down so these news are excellent. Poor kid, wonder what he was thinking as he was sitting on the floor.
Other than that, another PATHETIC display by our boys in purp and yellow. I haven't seen this crappy basketball since the "good ol'" Smush-days! Yes folks, we are playing SMUSH-BALL right now!
Posted by: Andy L | April 13, 2011 at 02:43 PM
@Fatty.. C.L.U.C.K. Chickens Legally United against Cruelty and Killing! LMAO.. I'd say the real Fatty hasn't lost a step. Funny stuff!
Posted by: yellofever | April 13, 2011 at 02:45 PM
Bad news, good news exploit it. How many threads more to this good news? Of course, that is the news that we have been waiting for but no we have to go with the struggle of going too many threads on Kobe's statement. You could have combined those stories into two threads.
I suspect LTLF was correct when he described the injury this morning because Drew was able to walk on his own going to the locker room. In fact, I was surprised when we heard last night that it was hyperextended knee injury. It is nothing really, no blood, no ambulance why did it become a serious problem. Is this the reputation Drew Bynum, every time he hits the floor there is medical sensationalism attached to it. Who said that it was hyper extended injury? He too should apologize to the fans for giving them something to worry. Of course, if GAry Vitti said it, we have forgiven him because he was just trying to put more insurance to it. Because of it, Mitch acted also fast by signing Trey Johnson. Will he help or just add more wood polishing the bench by moving their butts frequently lol! like his contemporaries Ebanks, Caracter, Smith and Ratliff.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 13, 2011 at 02:46 PM
@Fatty
I say, I say, Excellent Post! All Chickens Unite!
We also need to rescind the slogan "More Cluck for Your Buck!"
Yours Truly,
Tyson Chicken Chandler
Dallas Mavericks
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 02:46 PM
Hopefully Drew won't be watching over his shoulder, worrying about re-injury. Sometimes these injuries can have more of a psychological on a player's game.
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 02:07 PM
That is my main concern from here on out.
Anyways............
WOW am I relieved like I just found out that my own cancer is not that serious. I’ve been on pins & needles all day, the stupidity of Kobe issue was a great distraction. It is on once again, the present and the future are restored.
Posted by: NBA4ever | April 13, 2011 at 02:49 PM
Massively positive news!
Posted by: PurpleHeart | April 13, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Here's to Drew Unleashing the Beast in the Playoffs! A True Heavyweight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rClxeRmCcg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
"AND THE BEAST GOES ON..."
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 02:55 PM
$100,000 !!!
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 03:01 PM
You're Welcome!
Posted by: God | April 13, 2011 at 03:01 PM
Guys, as I said to Jon K, I'm simply following the developments of the story. Regardless of whether you find Kobe's comments offensive or not, it's a news story because there's developments in terms of reaction. The charge that we're manufacturing controversy is unfounded because there's been various public reactions to it among the league and various civil rights groups. I also prefer to getting back to the topic of basketball too but we can't just ignore a story.
Posted by: Mark Medina | April 13, 2011 at 03:03 PM
WHEW!
Hopefully this gives AB some confidence in the brace and the knee in general.
Go Andrew, Go Lakers
Posted by: VMan | April 13, 2011 at 03:06 PM
Society of the United States each day is more like the simpsons
Every day thousands of people die in the world
killed by the U.S. Army and Americans do not seem offended by this.
Meanwhile, a basketball player seems to throw a curse
and American society is alarmed by this.
Amazing!
Posted by: Hiltontown | April 13, 2011 at 03:06 PM
THANK GOD!!!!
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 13, 2011 at 03:07 PM
Now that's some "Good News" about Drew AND Barnes..
Sam Cooke - Ain't that Good News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThIiNa_9uCM
@mclyne – nice first selection with the Kings
@DBDH - I posted something about the Charlie V incident earlier. He totally lost it. It now makes me think he may have been more at fault than KG in their war of words.
@Triangulator – Love the Rascals. You have a talented cousin. I like the way they dropped “Oh Happy Day” in there. Love the Rascals.
Posted by: LRob | April 13, 2011 at 03:09 PM
I'd bet Gasol is the happiest PERSON besides Bynum now.
Go Trey Johnson! I hope he scores 20 pts and 10 assists tonight!
Posted by: God | April 13, 2011 at 03:09 PM
Who says you can't put a price on free speech?
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 03:10 PM
God answers prayers,and their is a God somewhere.Good news on Bynum;he won't miss any playoff time,the Lakers dodge a bullet their. I pray he continues to get better as the playoff progress;and finish what he started post all star break,and that's dominating the paint.
Go Lakers!
Posted by: OCLEZY | April 13, 2011 at 03:13 PM
MM, of course we know Kobe's news was newsworthy, but do you need so many threads to develop the story from Mike to Houston to you. Are the LA Sport News Dept. of Mike James jumping on the story as scoop before ESPN develops it? Hey MM, we are your loyal bloggers with you in good times and in bad, what we are asking is to be fair in your news reporting. One thread may be enough, two may be too much and three or more could be a poison story that you are developing out of a single issue. Can you not combined them in one story so opinions can be aired once and for all. Just a blogger's 2 cents, and I'm not the moderator.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 13, 2011 at 03:14 PM
@Nuggets Country
Glad to see another fellow Lakerholic who used the same masterful quote to sum up this whole overblown issue.
Posted by: mclyne | April 13, 2011 at 03:14 PM
OK, so I guess I'll chat with myself:
KB, AB, PG, LO, DF, RA, Shannon, LW, MB, DC, JS, Trey &
with Steve Blake as 13th reserve
that leaves off Theo who PJ won't play and Devin Ebanks
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 03:15 PM
Yellowfevor, The Triangulator - Yes, it is good to be back with my Lakers compadres as we make our playoff run....and thank you.
Posted by: Fatty | April 13, 2011 at 03:19 PM
i say after the season, trade bynum with 2 or 3 other players to get howard from orlando. with howard, we will be assured for another championship in the next 2 years or so.
Posted by: pat mejia | April 13, 2011 at 03:19 PM
YES!!!!
i knew it!!
but dam i had a bad day since last night.
Posted by: brian | April 13, 2011 at 03:21 PM
Thanks LRob. Actually my cousin Eddie co-wrote a majority of their hits and co-founded the band, besides singing. His brother, cousin David, sang backgrounds and was the lead singer for Joey Dee and the Starlighters ("The Peppermint Twist").
What'd you think of Full Moon? Buzz Feiten is one of the best, but little known guitarists. He's played on a lot of albums, from Stevie Wonder to Rickie Lee Jones.
Posted by: The Triangulator | April 13, 2011 at 03:22 PM
@PUDDLE.... First a Fatty appearance and then a Puddle appearance. How goes it, Phil.
Good to have all the regulars returning for the playoff run. #17 is going to win us #17.
...........................................
@VMAN ... “Hopefully this gives AB some confidence in the brace and the knee in general.” I think Drew will be fine. It’s pretty obvious that the brace once again saved his knee from serious damage. I think the scare will really bring the team together and make them realize that opportunities to win championships are rare and fragile and not to be wasted. Take advantage by winning #17 with #17.
...........................................
TOM
Posted by: LakerTom | April 13, 2011 at 03:23 PM
"Can you not combined them in one story so opinions can be aired once and for all. Just a blogger's 2 cents, and I'm not the moderator.
Posted by: Edwin Gueco | April 13, 2011 at 03:14 PM
"
YES, PLEASE!!!?
Posted by: NuggetsCountry | April 13, 2011 at 03:24 PM
Hiltontown,
"Every day thousands of people die in the world
killed by the U.S. Army and Americans do not seem offended by this."
Okay.
"Thousands" means at minimum 2,000 people.
"Every day" means unceasingly.
So, that's the U.S. Army killing 730,000 people per year.
We've been in Afghanistan for 10 years now.
So, that's 7,300,000 over the last decade.
Ummm... impossible.
Where do you get your statistics from? Or do you just say things in hyperbole because you get a quick high out of shaming your society and having people not call you out on it?
What do we play for? RINGS!!!
Lakers Today... Lakers Tomorrow... Lakers Forever.
GO LAKERS!!!
Posted by: Jon K. | April 13, 2011 at 03:28 PM
I like Trey!!! I hope he gets to play. Shannon has been disappointing. Steve is out. Give Trey a shot!!! Sometimes you give a guy like that a chance and he shines.
Play Trey!!!
Posted by: Lakerholic | April 13, 2011 at 03:29 PM
EXCELLENTE!!!
Posted by: LEWSTRS | April 13, 2011 at 03:37 PM
Hiltontown I suggest that you find a different analogy. As a former military person and currently a trainer of military personnel, I find it offensive when someone depicts us as killers destroying everything in our path.
JR
Posted by: Jolly Rancher | April 13, 2011 at 03:56 PM
Looks like Kevin Ding was right! Not serious!
Posted by: Edward | April 13, 2011 at 04:09 PM
SonnyBelfast,
Too bad your (Queens) err Kings still looking for a city to adopt them. Its really hard to find a city for the "Losers"
Posted by: ninoy | April 13, 2011 at 04:23 PM
great news, L.A.'s 3peat is in order with 'drew back onboard. now onto to "cow-town", p.j.'s favorite city, ha ha. let's wrap up the # 2 seed tonight!
Posted by: Lakeshowinphx | April 13, 2011 at 04:33 PM
@SunnyBelfast
So is this how it is now, is this your new life motto to talk nonsense and become relevant when no one even notices you. Kings of basketball lol. Chris Rock watch-out, someone's trying to steal your bread.
Posted by: fiznik | April 13, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Some great news on a very low day. So very happy for Drew and Matty!! With all the reactions of players to their Tech's or just plain you looked at me wrong fouls, or non calls, I souley put their frustrations on the shoulders of Stern and his no show emotion rule. I know,being an over exuberant fan, I hurl some expletives at the TV and anybody else that will listen(My poor husband) I wish it was the Refs. Can you imagine in the heat of a game and you can't react!!! Kobe, lately has gotton a lot of no calls and is very frustrated. I don't condone his behavior but I think if it wasn't BROUGHT to everybodys attention from Kerr, NOBODY would have noticed what he said!!!!!!!!!!!I for one just thought he was super disgusted. I do feel that if it's the Laker's, it gets blown out of proportion. The Laker Family has to stay UNITED thru these ups and downs and enjoy the journey. One thing about Kobe, he can block all this out and concentrate on the task at hand, unlike PRINCESS JIMMY! By the way we need a Mamba24 emergence right about now!
Posted by: New Mexico LL | April 13, 2011 at 04:42 PM
Edwin Gueco,
>>> Is this the reputation Drew Bynum, every time he hits the floor there is
>>>medical sensationalism attached to it.
You hit the nail right on the head.
If Bynum had never had a serious injury before, the commentators would have been saying, "oh it's nothing - he's walking off the floor on his own power. He'll probably be back in the game..."
But because of his history, the tweak happens and the commentators go all spazzed and lots of Laker fans suddenly throw up in their mouths a little.
Posted by: LongTimeLakerFan | April 13, 2011 at 04:44 PM