LAKERS BYNUM SET TO RETURN THURSDAY

Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum will return to action Thursday against the Denver Nuggets, according to a source close to the Lakers. Bynum, the team's budding star at center, has missed the last 32 games after suffering a torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee Jan. 31 at Memphis. The source said Lakers coach Phil Jackson telephoned Bynum on Tuesday night and told him he was going to be activated for Thursday's game. Jackson has said recently that Bynum will probably start once he returns, a move that will likely send Lamar Odom back to the bench.