Bynum on Injury: I Think It Happened While I Was Bowling

After a day of speculation, Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum responded to reports that he hurt his already injured knees while bowling.

ESPN first reported Bynum suffered an unspecified injury this month while bowling. Bynum spoke on the injury during an interview with CSN Philly on Sunday.

"Same exact injury, mirror images of the knees," said Bynum. "I think it happened while I was bowling to be honest."

Bynum claims he was bowling last week and began to noticing his knees swelling up after.

"I don't think anyone could've told me that I couldn't do that," said Bynum. "I was doing squatting and low-impact training so it is what it is. My cartilage is in a weakened state, that's what the doctors tell me. Now I'm going through the same thing I have in my right knee in my left. It's identical."

Reporters then asked Bynum what he was doing while bowling that he thinks may have caused the injury.

"Nothing, I didn't twist it or fall," said Bynum. "It just kind of broke off cartilage and got big and made the bone bruise bigger. That's the question that all the doctors have as well as myself. You do that  just by [[bowling]] which is relatively nothing, three steps, and you have to wonder what happens when you play. I think that's the most important thing and why everybody is so cautious." 

Earlier in the month, the Sixers announced Bynum may not play in a game until early January due to a bone bruise in his right knee.

Bynum already underwent a procedure on his knees in early September to treat a dislocated knee cap, torn MCL and a torn meniscus. The team initially hoped its newly acquired star would be ready for the season opener Oct. 31. Late last month though, the Sixers said he was out indefinitely.

The Sixers acquired the all-star center from the Lakers in a four-team deal that saw them ship Andre Iguodala to Denver, but he has yet to even practice with them this season. Bynum told reporters he is disappointed by the latest injury setback.

"It sucks," said Bynum. "I just don't know what to expect." 

Bynum, 25, is in the final year of his contract and could sign a five-year deal worth more than $100 million in the offseason, if he's healthy.