Will They Mention Milestone?

Shaquille O’Neal needs 11 points for 20,000 in his career, a mark reached by 27 other players in NBA history, only four at a younger age. O’Neal is 31.

Needing 53 on Monday night against the Clippers, O’Neal scored 42, then admitted he would have liked to have reached the milestone at Staples Center. Instead, the final 11 probably will come tonight against the Sacramento Kings at Arco Arena.

“I guess I’ll have to get it in my favorite place,” he said, grinning.

Considering the insults O’Neal had hurled at the Kings in recent years, and the championship rings he’d won at their expense, it promises to be an awkward moment, if it is recognized at all.

“I’m sure the fans of Sacramento are looking forward to it,” Coach Phil Jackson said, grinning.

Jackson added that he expected King officials to make some mention of it.

“I’m sure they will,” Jackson said. “I mean, it’s appropriate to stop the game.”

He seemed serious. A King official said Wednesday night that the club was unaware of O’Neal’s approaching mark, and that he doubted the game would be interrupted.

*

Kobe Bryant practiced Wednesday, a rarity since he’d begun suffering from tendinitis is both knees.

“I feel good,” he said afterward. “I forgot what it felt like to be fast.”

*

TONIGHT

at Sacramento, 7, TNT

Site -- Arco Arena.

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

Records -- Lakers 38-28, Kings 47-21.

Record vs. Kings -- 1-1.

Update -- The Kings have lost two of four, one at home Sunday to the Dallas Mavericks, and are 16-6 at Arco since starting the season with 13 consecutive home wins. In Sacramento, San Antonio might be the more frightening playoff draw than the Lakers. The Spurs swept the Kings at Arco. The Lakers have the same chance tonight, having beaten the Kings, 124-113, on Jan. 31. The Kings are 13-4 since the All-Star Game. The Lakers are 13-5.