Lakers’ Andrew Bynum says his knee ‘feels really, really good’

Laker fans can take a deep breath.

Andrew Bynum has some good news to share about his health.

“My knee feels really, really good right now,” he said after posting 13 points and 13 rebounds in the Lakers’ 104-85 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

Bynum said he felt discomfort in his surgically repaired right knee after it was hit by Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant during last week’s loss to the Thunder. That prompted Bynum to “ice the heck out” of his knee to minimize swelling before undergoing a lubricating injection Friday. And he played only six minutes during the All-Star game to help rest the knee.

Lakers Coach Mike Brown called Bynum’s seventh consecutive double-double Wednesday a “productive night.”

“The injection really helped,” Bynum said. “There’s no swelling.”

That allowed Bynum to appear quicker than usual against the Timberwolves. In the second quarter, he spun around Minnesota center Darko Milicic for a two-handed dunk along the baseline. On the next possession, he threw down a dunk on a lob from Steve Blake.

Bynum reported no pain after participating in most of Tuesday’s practice, sitting out a full-court scrimmage. His knee has remained sound all season; the precautionary measures of the last few days apparently are helping to ensure that.

The only games he has missed were during the four-game suspension for a forearm shove on Dallas guardJ.J. Bareain the 2011 Western Conference semifinals.

Bynum so far has posted career-high averages in points (16.2), rebounds (12.8) and minutes (34.6) per game.

“I’m playing pain-free,” Bynum said. “It’s always a good thing.”

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