He’s Baaaack!

Andrew Bynum is back! The 21-year-old Lakers’ center had 16 points and seven rebounds in his first game since Jan. 31, with the Lakers beating Denver, 116-102. After missing 32 games Bynum helped the Lakers defeat the Nuggests Thursday (April 9) at Staples Center, allowing L.A. to move within a half a game of Cleveland in the race for home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. The Lakers (63-16) also managed to secure home court against the Boston Celtics (59-19) if the rivals happen to meet again in the Finals.

Although Kobe Bryant had 33 points and Pau Gasol had 27 points and a career-high 19 rebounds, it was all about Bynum last night. Although he only had three points in the first half, he slowly picked up speed. Bynum, who wore a brace on his injured knee, told the L.A. Times, “I started getting out on the floor and getting deep position, and I just turned around and shot. It feels great to be back and playing, seriously. I was a little sluggish. My lateral movement’s a little bit slow, but I’m going to feel it out the more time I get out there on the floor.” Lakers’ Coach Phil Jackson echoed, “There’s still some things that he’s going to adjust to that will come along as we play. Hopefully these next three games, he can get it to a point where he was somewhat close to where he was.”

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