Reason for O’Neal’s Knee Injury Unclear

Shaquille O’Neal told team officials that his left knee was too sore to play against the New York Knicks on Sunday night, a decision that was upheld after a pre-game examination by a team physician.

O’Neal, whose knee apparently had become gradually more painful since returning with a limp from last weekend’s All-Star game, did not watch the game from the bench and did not discuss his absence with reporters. Asked if he knew when O’Neal would return, Coach Phil Jackson said, “Absolutely not. It’ll be just game to game.” Later, however, he said he expected O’Neal to play Tuesday night against Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets, “Unless he’s got Ming-itis in this knee.”

The Lakers did not order further tests, either an X-ray or MRI.

“So, obviously, it’s what it’s said to be,” Jackson said. “A sore knee. Or that’s what it [portends] to be.”

The exact nature and cause of the injury were vague. There are three common hypotheses: O’Neal is too heavy for even his sturdy frame and therefore stressing his knee, he apparently failed to wear his corrective orthotics during 26 minutes of play at the All-Star game, and he compensated for his surgically repaired toe for two months and therefore put undue strain on the area.

O’Neal, who had five rebounds in 40 minutes Friday against San Antonio, still has played near his career averages in points and rebounds despite his variety of aches. He said Saturday that the pain would force him to resume taking the anti-inflammatory medication he detests, however, a sign the recent discomfort was too much to bear.

O’Neal was examined 45 minutes before the game by team physician Steve Lombardo. While Jackson initially refused to say whether O’Neal arrived at Staples Center unwilling to play or if the club recommended the rest, Jackson then said, “He came in and said he was not capable of playing.”

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Center Stanley Roberts was due to become an unrestricted free agent today, with the Philadelphia 76ers, who held his rights, having allowed the signing deadline to pass without making an offer. It is unclear if the Lakers had any serious interest in Roberts, recently reinstated after being out of the NBA for three years because of violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.

Roberts apparently weighs about 325 pounds. His agent, Memphis-based Brian Parker, said Roberts would like to be in an organization by the end of the week and, of course, the prospect of playing with former Louisiana State teammate O’Neal has arisen.

“We’ve kidded around a couple times, how it would be interesting to see him backing up Shaquille,” Parker said. “He can play. He’s not going to step in and start or even play 20 minutes yet. But he’s in good enough shape to help.”