Exam Confirms Shaq Out Longer

An examination Thursday of Shaquille O’Neal’s troublesome strained abdominal muscle confirmed the superstar center will be sidelined at least four more games and probably longer, with no assurances that he will be back in time for the five-game trip that includes showdowns in Chicago, Atlanta and Houston.

If anything, the hope for the Lakers might be that O’Neal would return for the swing that begins Dec. 16. He isn’t scheduled for another progress report until Dec. 11, and even if he were able to start practicing then, he would almost certainly have some practice days before returning to game action. That would take care of Dec. 12 against the Houston Rockets for sure and maybe Dec. 14 against the Dallas Mavericks.

The Lakers are 6-2 when O’Neal has not played.

TONIGHT

vs.

San Antonio

* 7:30

* Fox Sports

West

Site--Forum.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 14-2, Spurs 10-8.

Record vs. Spurs--1-0.

Update--Having failed to fully take advantage of a soft stretch of the schedule, appearing sluggish even in some victories, the Lakers over the next three days get the other hand: the Spurs, the hot Cleveland Cavaliers and the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs are playing the second night of a back-to-back, but at least the travel should be pretty light. They were at the Sports Arena on Thursday, losing to the Clippers, 100-96, in overtime.