Shaq to Go on Injured List

Shaquille O’Neal will start the season on the injured list, Coach Phil Jackson said Tuesday night, and therefore will not be eligible to play until the Lakers’ sixth game, at the earliest.

O’Neal, who had surgery on his right big toe six weeks ago today, could return Nov. 7 against the Boston Celtics. Jackson, however, said he figured O’Neal would miss at least two more games.

Having O’Neal on the injured list would let the Lakers have another player active, presumably Soumalia Samake. Once on the injured list, O’Neal must stay five games -- in this case, against San Antonio, at Portland, at the Clippers, against Portland and at Cleveland. The Lakers finish that trip in Boston and Washington.

O’Neal met Monday with Dr. Robert Mohr, his surgeon, and representatives from his shoe company, ACI, regarding the fit of his shoes. Mohr won’t examine O’Neal until Thursday.

“If everything’s OK, I’ll be cleared to run,” O’Neal said.

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The Lakers lost, 102-101, to the Cleveland Cavaliers in an exhibition game at the San Diego Sports Arena.

Kobe Bryant scored 16 points.

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Devean George, suffering from back spasms, did not make the trip to San Diego. George apparently felt a pull as he got out of his car Tuesday morning, and was much improved later.

Mark Madsen (hamstring) and Brian Shaw (groin) did not suit up. Madsen, like O’Neal, could start the season on the injured list.

Because of the various injuries, it appears the Lakers will carry Samake and guard Jannero Pargo into the season for at least a short period.

Jackson insisted Tuesday that Samake continued to be pushed for a roster spot by Guy Rucker.

Tim Brown

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The Clippers play their final exhibition tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center. Under normal circumstances, Coach Alvin Gentry would use the game as a tune-up before the season opener Oct. 30 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

However, Gentry continues to fret about injuries to some of his top players. Several, including forward Elton Brand, center Michael Olowokandi and sixth man Quentin Richardson, practiced Tuesday for the first time in more than two weeks.

Brand underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Sept. 26 and isn’t expected to be sound for at least another week or so. Olowokandi has a sore left knee and Richardson has a sprained right knee. Their availability also is uncertain.

“I’m really frustrated with all the injuries,” Gentry said. “We haven’t had all our guys out there for one single [exhibition] game. We can’t walk out there on opening night and expect that everything is going to click.”

Brand, Olowokandi and Richardson each indicated to Gentry they hope to play, but Gentry couldn’t say for certain Tuesday whether any of the three would face the Cavaliers.

Elliott Teaford

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Cleveland Cavalier rookie guard Dajuan Wagner had surgery to remove a blood clot from the tube connecting his left kidney and bladder. Wagner, hospitalized for more than a week, was first admitted with stomach cramps before it was discovered that he had a bladder infection. The team is expected to update his status today.

Toronto Raptor forward Lamond Murray will be sidelined at least eight weeks because of a sprained ligament in his right foot suffered in Friday’s exhibition against New Jersey.... Guard Chris Childs was suspended indefinitely by the New Jersey Nets for failure to be in playing condition.

Associated Press