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Shaquille O’Neal won’t return until after All-Star break 02.12.11 at 6:28 pm ET
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Shaquille O'Neal

The Celtics thought Shaquille O’Neal would be out for a few games with what they called an inflamed Achilles. A few games have lasted longer than they expected and now it seems unlikely that O’Neal will be back until after next weekend’s All-Star break at the earliest.

It’s not just Shaq. Fellow center Semih Erden (groin, strained abductor) is also not likely to return before the break.

“Semih’s out until after the break and Shaq will be too,” Celtics coach Doc Rivers said following the team’s practice on Saturday. “We don’t even know if they’ll be back after the break right now. Semih’s groin is not improving and Shaq’s Achilles is not improving at all. We thought we’d have them both back by the last game, but that’s fine. We’re good.”

Rivers said Shaq’s injury has not gotten worse, but it hasn’t improved. “It just hasn’t healed,” the coach said. “It’s no worse, but it hasn’t healed as quickly.”

The Celtics are already without Jermaine O’Neal (knee surgery) and Marquis Daniels (bruised spinal cord) for at least the next month, if not longer. They hope to get Delonte West back Wednesday when they play the Nets in their final game before the break. Following the break, the Celtics will head out west for a four-game road trip with games against the Clippers, Warriors, Jazz and Nuggets.

Read More: Semih Erdenm Injuries, Shaquille O'Neal, Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • LJP

    After 52 Celtic games this season, Shaq hasn’t played in 16 (31%) which is at a higher rate of games than he normally takes off during the regular season (21%) over his career. Was this possibility figured into genius Danny Ainge’s plans when he signed Shaq for less than 7% of what he was paid the last few years? Since he’s not Kobe like when it comes to injuries (especially injuries unverifiable via x-rays) and work ethic, maybe Shaq should wear the $30 a pop hologram Power Bracelet he endorses and says works around his ankles. Perhaps Shaq can disprove ESPN’s Outside the Lines report on scientific research by exercise physiologists at University of Wisconsin La Crosse for the American Council on Exercise (a consumer watchdog) that debunked the bracelet. Or if the Celtics could rework Shaq’s contract to pay him substantially more this season, his games taken off rate might just decline.

  • D-Man

    or maybe he could go out and rape someone, then get scared like a little girl and rat out the rest of his teammates to the world that they are just as bad as him lol while he’s at it, he can also learn to hog the ball to the point that the rest of his team just stands around and just watches him play by himself because they wont expect a pass from him. lol

  • http://WirePaladin Andrew Villalon

    I went up on the web to find out the state of Shaq’s injury and found this really foul remark by someone calling himself D-Man. Putting aside the vitriol, I would just point out the following:
    1. Thirty-eight is a long time to be playing basketball at this level, especially for a man as big as Shaq. I have seen him in a number of games this year, and I for one think he was playing admirably before he got hurt. I saw no easing up when he was on the court.
    2. Where would the Celtics be without his play? Certainly not atop the eastern division. Remember, Perkins only came back a few games ago. The other O’Neal has been hurt for most of the season. As much as I like Erden’s effort, he alone could not have put the Celtics in this position.
    3. I have had several achilles tendon problems over the years and they can be hell. It can take weeks before one recovers.

    So D-Man, if you have a fair bone in your body, cut Shaq some slack!!

  • Scott LP

    I’m happy with the effort he has shown, and the results they have gotten. Perhaps they can throw Harangody into the mix a little more. Don’t see Perk used too much. I really wonder if Jermaine will be worth anything for the playoffs, and so I prefer Shaq to take as much time off as he needs.

  • http://twitter.com/max_in_missouri Max in Missouri

    D-Man, you hit it on the nose!

    Andrew, you’re misunderstanding D-Man’s comment… he was responding sarcasticly to LJP and his proverbial kissing of Kobe’s raping @ss.

    Shaq is the man. He is playing great this year and the team, particularly KG, play better when he is on the court. When healthy, Shaq is what guarantees this team post-season success. He honestly deserves the start over Perk, no doubt.

  • D-Man

    lol thanks max! He’s right andrew, i was being sarcastic as LJP was suggesting that Kobe was better. Here’s a fact, Shaq from the minute he entered the the NBA has known that he cant win it alone. In orlando he was surrounded by 3-point shooters and a killer point gaurd. In LA he was again surrounded by great players. same on the heat, suns, clevland, and now celtics. and everyone greatly benefitted from the double and tripple teams shaq would get every night. Shaq knows he cant win it alone but in his prime, here in LA, he did know this was HIS team and everyone on it was there to compliment him… but he didnt hog the ball either. and because buss chose a snot nose ball hog, who in fact, airballed 2 3-pointers as a rookie and cost us a finals appearance, raped someone, and was spreading rumors that he wanted to be traded, all ticked shaq off to the point he left! so while all you kobe lovers say look, kobe won his 2nd or 3rd championship whooppeee! why dont you say what’s really on your mind like, if kobe had shut up LA could be celebrating its 6th (or maybe more) championship! And for the record, kobe didnt win the last two rings for LA, it was Gasol! haha, kobe the Lakers still arent your team! hahaha

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