Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum excused from team to attend to "family medical matter"

Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum sits on the bench during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bulls Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, in Chicago. The Bulls won 96-81. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (The Associated Press)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum (21) scores past Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah, who fouled Bynum on the play, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 11, 2013, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) (The Associated Press)

Cavaliers center Andrew Bynum has been excused from the team to address "a family medical matter."

The Cavs said in a release on Tuesday that Bynum, who signed a two-year, free-agent deal with Cleveland this summer, is expected to rejoin the team on Saturday in Washington. The Cavs stayed in Chicago to practice after losing to the Bulls on Tuesday night.

The release said Bynum would travel to attend to the matter, but there were no other details.

Bynum will miss Wednesday's game at Minnesota and a home game on Friday against Charlotte.

The 7-foot-1 Bynum made his first start of the season against Chicago and scored 11 points with six rebounds in 21 minutes.

Bynum missed all of last season with Philadelphia because of knee problems.

Last week, the two-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers said he has contemplated retirement, but believes he can still be a productive NBA player.