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76ers coach: Andrew Bynum not close to returning

Sixers center Andrew Bynum has yet to play in a game this season due to bruises and weakened cartilage in his knees. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

Sixers center Andrew Bynum has yet to play in a game this season due to bruises and weakened cartilage in his knees. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins said on Saturday that center Andrew Bynum's first five-on-five practice with the team proved that he is not close to return to game action.

Bynum said earlier this week that he would be back this season and that he wasn't going to try to rush after suffering bone bruises in both of his knees.

"He looked like a guy who hadn't played in nine months," Collins said, via ESPN.com. "I don't think any bells and whistles should be sent off that he's close to playing. It's amazing seeing him standing out there, he distorted the whole practice. You get visions of what might've been... He's said that he's going to play but this season is slipping away. We've got 24 games after (this weekend). We're eight (games) under .500 and we've got to play the Miami Heat four times."