A Lakers’ Trip From Hell Turns Into Nice 4-1 Cruise

Shaquille O’Neal will miss at least two more weeks after suffering a hairline fracture of his right wrist, an injury sustained about two weeks ago from punching a heavy bag but not diagnosed until Monday.

The good news for the Lakers in this case is that it might not make a difference. He could be out as long, or longer, because of the strained abdominal muscle that has already cost him the last five weeks.

O’Neal is scheduled to be in Vancouver, Canada, to see two abdominal specialists, Andrew Seals and Ross Davidson. He has already seen one specialist, Anaheim-based Miguel Velez, as well as team physician Steve Lombardo, as soreness persists above the groin, prohibiting the Lakers from setting a target date for a return.

Punching a heavy bag, other than Greg Ostertag, was not part of his rehabilitation from the strained muscle. It came during a boxing workout O’Neal apparently decided to do on his own some two weeks ago, but only now did he come forward after pain persisted. X-rays and a CAT scan Monday diagnosed the hairline fracture.

O’Neal has not been fitted for a cast. Still, this probably takes care of his being allowed to shoot as part of the individual drills that have included work with Magic Johnson’s touring team.

The Lakers are 13-6 without O’Neal, with one of the victories coming when he sat out because of suspension. Another came in the opener because of the troublesome abdominal injury that shadowed him through much of training camp, but he returned to play the next eight before being forced out again.

This most recent stint has resulted in him sitting out 17 games, during which time the Lakers have gone 11-6, most recently winning four of five on a difficult trip that ended Monday night with a 94-83 victory over the Houston Rockets. Elden Campbell had 18 points and 14 rebounds in the win, putting him at 17.1 points and 7.2 rebounds in the 17 games at center.