O’Neal’s Injury May Be a Real Pain

The Lakers have not ruled out an extended recovery period for Shaquille O’Neal, who has a sore right foot and did not play in Sunday’s 91-81 loss to the New York Knicks.

O’Neal could be afflicted by plantar fasciitis, which is swelling of a band of tissue around the foot. Former Laker Glen Rice recently sat out two games because of it. Other players, unable to quell or play with the pain, have had their careers cut short.

O’Neal said he is unable to stand on his tip-toes without a jolt of pain in his arch.

“It’s been bothering me for about a week,” O’Neal said. “I aggravated it [Friday night, against New Jersey]. It was hard for me to lift off my foot. I had a day today to rest and then all day [Monday]. On Tuesday, if it feels to the point where I can lift up on my toes, then I’ll play.”

Asked earlier about playing Tuesday in Cleveland, O’Neal had waggled his hand, then turned his thumb down. Officially, he is day to day.

“It was real disappointing, this is the Mecca of basketball,” O’Neal said of Madison Square Garden. “I came here extra early trying to get some extra treatment, but it didn’t work out.”

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The Lakers are 1-2 without O’Neal, who sat out a game in Denver and another against Vancouver. If they are forced to play an extended period without him, or with him at much less than 100%, an uneven season could turn dismal.

“I just think it’s time for all the guys to step up and be consistent with stepping up,” O’Neal said. “We’ll be a better team. We just have to keep playing hard, keep playing better defense and just keep playing together.”

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Rick Fox fell when shoved from behind by Larry Johnson in the fourth quarter and suffered a right shoulder contusion. . . . Laker Coach Phil Jackson and Rice met before the game. Their exchange was pleasant.