Shaq’s Condition Apparently Not a Sore Subject

As Shaquille O’Neal pulled himself up two flights of stairs Thursday afternoon, the only way out of the practice gym, he held up two fingers -- peace -- and shook his head.

Back-to-back games generally aren’t kind to him, and while he hadn’t been at his best for two games, he still bore the brunt of the double-teams. He looked sore but hadn’t mentioned it to team officials. He had 24 points and 13 rebounds against the Detroit Pistons, much closer to his usual game.

“I think he’s all right,” Coach Phil Jackson said.

Trainer Gary Vitti said he did not treat O’Neal, so the team is operating under the assumption that he is fit to play and recovered from knee problems of the recent past.

Neither O’Neal nor Kobe Bryant did much in Thursday’s practice, primarily a time for the reserves to run. Rick Fox watched from an exercise bike and Robert Horry leaned against one of the cinder-block walls.

Bryant rushed past and didn’t complain much about his right knee, which appeared to bother him Wednesday night.

“I’m all right,” he said over his shoulder. “Knee’s swollen a little, but I’m all right.”

*

Jackson is again looking for places to play rookie Kareem Rush. “I’ve been trying to get him back playing with confidence,” he said.... Fox, on whether the NBA champion can come out of the Eastern Conference: “No. Not this year. They’ve got to steal a couple of free agents [in the summer].” ... O’Neal had 40 points and 14 rebounds against the Timberwolves in Los Angeles last week.

TONIGHT

at Minnesota, 5 PST

Channel 9 (6 PST)

Site -- Target Center.

Radio -- KLAC-AM (570), KWKW-AM (1330), KIRN-AM (670).

Records -- Lakers 35-28, Timberwolves 42-25.

Record vs. Timberwolves -- 1-2.

Update -- The Timberwolves had won 17 consecutive games at Target Center before losing to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Forward Joe Smith re-injured his right ankle last week and hasn’t played much since. Tracy McGrady, casting his vote for Kevin Garnett: “To me, I’m looking at what Garnett is doing on a nightly basis and, hands down, he’s the MVP.” O’Neal needs 103 points to reach 20,000 for his career.