Shaq Comes Back (at Least to Practice) With Return Near

Stomachs watched this closely should be carrying septuplets, but the wait for the return of Shaquille O’Neal took a significant step forward Saturday when he unexpectedly joined the Lakers for practice and his first work with teammates in 5 1/2 weeks.

There still is no firm date for his first action since Nov. 19, but considering his subpar stamina, it won’t be tonight against the Boston Celtics or Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.

That likely makes Friday against the Atlanta Hawks at the Forum the soonest O’Neal would play, but that depends on how the strained abdominal muscle reacts to the increased activity and how his conditioning improves, though he might initially be limited by doctor’s orders to brief appearances even after returning.

The Lakers had not said their all-star center, who had been cleared for individual workouts and previously went through drills with Magic Johnson’s touring team, would practice Saturday. But after being cleared by team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo for scrimmaging and contact, he participated in all aspects of the two-hour practice at Southwest L.A. College.

The most significant part of that, after taking part in five-on-none drills that simulated plays for the offense at jogging speed, was approximately 30 minutes spent in three-on-three scrimmages. Those also was not played at 100%, but the action was intense enough that he lunged to block shots, a test for the stomach, and that his right wrist with the hairline fracture got hit.

“Doc said I can bang,” O’Neal said, reporting no problems from either injury.

It was either a nice start, this being the first real workout after sitting out 18 games, or part of the home stretch before the real return. Under any circumstances, it was a nice sight for the Lakers.

“Good,” said Kobe Bryant, one of the participants in the three-on-three. “Very good. Very, very, very good.”

Said Coach Del Harris: “He was running more easily than I had seen him run this year. Just floating across the floor. He still needs some cardiovascular shape. He probably won’t admit that, but he does.”

O’Neal did admit it. To a point.

“I’m cool,” he said. “I’ll be all right.”