Knee problems keep Bynum from completing full practice
Coach Phil Jackson says the discomfort is due to a brace inhibiting motions on Andrew Bynum's formerly injured right knee. A team spokesman says Bynum will play in Game 3 Thursday.
Lakers center Andrew Bynum did not go through a full practice today because of discomfort in his right knee, Lakers Coach Phil Jackson said.
It is the same knee that caused Bynum to miss 32 games because of a torn medial collateral ligament, though Jackson indicated the soreness might be related to the bulky brace Bynum has worn since returning six games ago.
"I don't think it's anything that the training staff thought was structural," Jackson said. "Some of it's due to [the] brace, wearing the brace and the inhibiting of the brace of the motions. I think it's all capable of working out, but he did not work much on the court today at all."
Bynum did not speak to reporters before the team boarded its charter flight this afternoon to Utah. A team spokesman said Bynum would "of course" play Thursday in Game 3 of the best-of-seven series against the Jazz. The Lakers have a 2-0 series lead, with Bynum averaging 8.5 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Bynum started off well Tuesday in Game 2, making his first five shots on the way to 10 points in the first quarter. He missed his last six shots, however, and never scored after the first quarter.
"He ran out of gas, really, and they double-teamed him," Jackson said.
Jackson said he wasn't concerned that Bynum was fatigued six games into his comeback. Bynum played 31 minutes in Game 2 after playing only 20 in Game 1 because of foul trouble.
"It's going to happen with him. He's going to have some lapses in energy," Jackson said. "We had to talk a little bit about his pregame work too because I think he's working a little bit too hard to get ready for the game, and I think it takes something out of him during the game."
mike.bresnahan@latimes.com
