Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal will begin the 2002-03 season on the injured list, meaning he'll miss at least the first five games of the campaign. O'Neal is recovering from surgery on his arthritic right big toe and won't be eligible to play until the November 7 game in Boston. O'Neal underwent surgery to remove painful bone spurs at UCLA's Outpatient Surgery Center on September 11. He has been suffering from a case of sesamoiditis, a form of tendinitis in the area beneath the toe, ever since the operation. The Lakers also put forward Mark Madsen on the injured list with a strained left hamstring. The 30-year-old O'Neal has led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships, and played most of last season with pain in his right foot, missing 15 games. He averaged 27.2 points, and 10.7 rebounds last year. The former LSU star will be entering his 11th season in the NBA, having also played with the Orlando Magic. He has averaged 27.6 points and 12.3 rebounds over his career. The Lakers are expected to use Samaki Walker and Stanislav Medvedenko to fill in at center until O'Neal returns. Los Angeles opens the regular season Tuesday night at home against San Los Angeles opens the regular season Tuesday night at home against San Antonio. |
