LOS ANGELES -- After missing nearly a month with plantar fascia, Marcus Camby played eight minutes in his Christmas Day return to action. He grabbed four rebounds to go along with four points on 1-for-3 shooting from the field in a loss to the Lakers.

Camby, 38, was considered a key offseason acquisition to shore up the Knicks' front line, but has played only sparingly this season. He was averaging just over seven minutes per game before being sidelined by his injured foot.

"Sitting, watching your teammates play isn't the same as getting out there," Camby saud after the game. "[What I noticed] is just how fast the game is, especially when the intensity is so high."

Mike Woodson said before the game that getting Camby back is particularly key while Rasheed Wallace and Amar'e Stoudemire remain inactive.

"We'll see how it goes," Woodson said of Camby's return. "Once I see how he does, that will determine how much he plays."