O’Neal Could Be Absent All-Star

Shaquille O’Neal said Saturday he has considered skipping the All-Star game to rest his bothersome strained abdominal muscle, but that he probably will be in New York two weeks from today unless told by Laker brass to stay home for fear of further injury.

Such an order will not be forthcoming unless O’Neal has a setback, the consensus being that a light practice and game can’t do harm. Last season, a sprained right knee kept O’Neal from attending festivities in Cleveland that included honoring the 50 greatest players ever and made him a lightning rod for criticism.

“If I can do that and not receive any flack, that would be nice,” O’Neal said of not being in New York with the Western Conference all-stars, a spot that will either become official today when the starters are announced or Monday or Tuesday when the reserves are chosen. “Last year, I was ordered to stay away from the all-star game, did it, and got flack.

“Yeah, I thought about it. If I’m ordered by the main three to stay home and do that, I’ll do that.”

The main three being Laker owner Jerry Buss, Executive Vice President Jerry West and team physician Steve Lombardo. Plus one voting member from outside the organization.

“My momma,” O’Neal said.

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Gary Payton crumbled to the court in agony with 2:11 left in the fourth quarter, grabbing his right leg in pain, as if he had suffered a serious injury. But the superstar guard, after staying down for a few minutes, remained in the game and said later the heel injury, suffered when an unknown player stepped on him, was minor.