Bynum still sidelined, may miss Oct. 31 opener

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Philadelphia 76ers center Andrew Bynum remains sidelined with right knee pain and is a long shot to play in the Oct. 31 opener.

Bynum will continue to be held out of all basketball activity as he recovers from a bone bruise suffered during an offseason workout. The Sixers had pegged Wednesday as his potential return date. Instead, Bynum was on the sidelines while the rest of the Sixers practiced.

Sixers general manager Tony DiLeo says each day Bynum is out increases the likelihood the All-Star center will not be ready for the opener.

Bynum says he wants to be cautious with his return and will not play until he is pain free. He received an injection of Synvisc -- a gel-like substance that sometimes provides relief for inflamed tissue -- on Monday.