Lakers' center Andrew Bynum, who sat out Wednesday's game against the Sacramento Kings, only has a bone bruise on his right knee and is expected to play in the Lakers' playoff opener against the New Orleans Hornets on Sunday at Staples Center.

Bynum, who many consider vital to the Lakers' hopes of winning a third-consecutive tite, hyper-extended his knee in the second quarter of the Lakers' 102-93 win over San Antonio on Tuesday night.

He has had problems with the right knee over the course of his Lakers' career.

An MRI exam on Wednesday confirmed to the relief of the Lakers that it was just a bruise, and the injury was not deemed to be serious, according to a statement sent out by the Lakers.

Bynum has emerged as a great rebounding threat for the Lakers.

He averaged 13.3 rebounds per game in March.

The Lakers meet the Hornets on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. eastern time.