Andrew Bynum will return from injury in the Lakers' game at Washington on Tuesday after missing the first 24 games of the 10-11 season.

"I'm definitely playing [Tuesday]," said Bynum.

Bynum underwent surgery in July to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.

"I don't know how long," he said. "[Monday's] practice felt very good. Obviously I'm not myself yet, but I can definitely go out there and help the team, and I'm going to go do that."

Bynum might play only about 15 minutes.

"We've been pretty short-handed as far as rotation on the interior game," Pau Gasol said. "For 20-some games, it's been that way. It's a difference when you have somebody like Andrew in the rotation."