Jackson Says O’Neal Remains Day to Day

The status of center Shaquille O’Neal for tonight’s game against Memphis remained a question mark after practice Saturday.

Coach Phil Jackson said O’Neal, who strained his right calf during Friday’s 101-94 victory over Chicago, was still “day to day” and didn’t want to speculate about when O’Neal would be ready to go.

“He came out and watched what we were doing,” Jackson said. “He didn’t participate, but he is getting therapy.

“Right now it’s too difficult to predict if he can play Sunday. We hope he will.”

O’Neal left at the conclusion of practice for medical treatment and did not return to speak with reporters. Kobe Bryant, who also left the practice court as soon as he was able, did not speak with the media either.

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Rick Fox, who has not played this season while recovering from foot surgery, had his most extended workout so far with the team Saturday.

Fox has been eased back into a basketball regimen by the Laker staff while his foot has healed. Since September he has gone from riding exercise bikes to shooting by himself to light running to participating in two-on-two or three-on-three drills.

Saturday, Fox played in several four-on-four scrimmages with the reserves, including full-court games.

He also left for treatment after the workout and did not return to speak with reporters, but Jackson sounded encouraged.

“This was by far the greatest number of [players on the court] that he has been with,” Jackson said. “We want to run him some more full-court action. But it’s always good to have him out there.”

Slava Medvedenko, who is recovering from a bruised heel, also had a hard workout Saturday. Medvedenko is eligible to come off the injured list today, , but Jackson wasn’t ready to commit to making that move.

“Slav’s been working hard and shooting good, but it still doesn’t take the place of missing 3-4 weeks of five-on-five play,” Jackson said.

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Even with a 10-3 record, the Lakers keep hearing from their critics that they’re not the dominant team everyone expects them to be since adding Gary Payton and Karl Malone to their starting lineup.

Malone once again stressed patience.

“There are times we’re in sync and times we’re not. I don’t know if I’d even say it’s 50-50,” Malone said. “But we’re still learning each other, and our capabilities on the offensive end as well as the defensive end.

“We still have a ways to go. But it’s neat to be 10-3 at this point and still figuring each other out. But we’re adding new plays.... Hopefully after 20 games we will be in sync.”

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TONIGHT

vs. Memphis, 6:30, Fox Sports Net

Site -- Staples Center.

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

Records -- Lakers 10-3, Grizzlies 6-5.

Record vs. Grizzlies -- 0-1.

Update--The Lakers have not forgotten the 105-95 loss the Grizzlies hung on them in Memphis on Nov. 10. “They’ve gained our respect,” Jackson said. “We can’t turn the ball over 20 times and not stop them in transition and expect to win. We have to limit it to 10-12 turnovers, and if we’re not giving up easy baskets, our transition defense can make a difference.” The Grizzlies began their three-game trip with a 98-97 victory over Seattle on Friday. The victory put Memphis over the .500 mark for only the second time since the Grizzlies moved to Tennessee from Vancouver in 2001. Third-year forward Pau Gasol leads Memphis in scoring (16.2).