Lakers center Andrew Bynum will be listed officially as day to day ahead of Tuesday's home game against New Jersey with what was called a "moderate" sprain of his left ankle.
Bynum received treatment with Lakers athletic trainer Gary Vitti, but the sprain was not considered serious enough to merit a follow up MRI exam, Lakers spokesman John Black said.
Bynum suffered the injury with 1:49 remaining in the first quarter of Sunday's win over the Golden State Warriors after landing awkwardly on the foot of teammate Josh McRoberts. Bynum immediately went to the sidelines where he consulted with Vitti, then went to the locker room and did not return to the game.
X-rays on Bynum's ankle were negative.
Bynum walked out of the arena under his own power, without crutches or the use of a golf cart. He said he felt fine, but wouldn't comment on the severity of his injury.
Bynum was scoreless against the Warriors on Sunday before leaving the game, but on the season is averaging a career high 18.3 points and 12.1 rebounds, and this season played in his first All-Star Game, voted by the fans as the Western Conference starting center.
More importantly, perhaps, Bynum has to this point remained healthy, playing in every game this season following a four-game suspension to start the season after averaging only 51 games a year over the last four seasons.
"He's gotten better," said teammate Kobe Bryant. "You see him working on his footwork a lot, he has a lot of moves in his arsenal that he didn't have before. He's much more comfortable doing it and he's gained a great deal of confidence."
Bryant said Sunday he believes a long-term injury to Bynum would be damaging, but the Lakers are capable of working through a short absence.
"I don't think it's a championship formula, but we can for the time being," he said. "(Ramon) Sessions is one of those players who can carry a game offensively, he's a great scorer. And Pau (Gasol) can obviously do what he does."
Brian Kamenetzky covers the Lakers for ESPNLosAngeles.com.
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