Chinese forward Yi Jianlian, sidelined for nearly three weeks by the Washington Wizards with a bruised right knee, returned to the lineup on Friday in an 83-79 NBA victory over Portland.

Yi, a 7-footer, suffered the injury last month in a 103-96 loss to Chicago. He was averaging 8.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots a game while shooting 41 percent from the field in seven appearances this season.

Against Portland, Yi entered late in the first and third quarters and played for just more than 10 minutes as a reserve, missing his only shot but contributing three rebounds and two blocked shots for Washington.