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Shaquille O'Neal Doubtful for Game 5 Versus Heat
Celtics Big Man Unlikely to Play in Key Playoff Game
Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal will likely not play in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semi-finals series against the Heat.
Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said that O'Neal is still suffering from soreness in his right achilles tendon and calf and sounded pessimistic about the NBA veteran's ability to play in the Celtics' key game against the Heat on Wednesday.
O'Neal played only 3 and a half minutes in the Celtics' Game 4 loss to the Heat on Monday night.
"It was physical [in Game 4]," said Rivers on Wednesday. "I don't know yet [about Wednesday's Game 5]. I would say I doubt it. But we'll see. [O'Neal played] a little stretch [in Game 4], then it got worse."
Rivers sounded pessimistic about O'Neals potential to recover from the injury any time soon.
"There's nothing he can do," said Rivers. "It's not like he's not trying. I told our team that [Tuesday], he's done everything possibly he can do to get healthy. Unfortunately for him, he hasn't been able to do it.
"When he was originally injured, no one even thought it was that serious. I don't know what I said, because I talk to you guys every day, but I think I was saying it's not even a big deal, he'll be back in four or five days. It just never healed. It still hasn't and now every time he plays it gets worse. So, there's nothing you can do about it."
Rivers also explained that O'Neal may wait a while to decide if he will continue to play in the NBA after this season and that O'Neal feels awful about not being able to play with the team during the playoffs.
"I think it's too early to even talk about it [i.e., O'Neal's retirement]," said Rivers. "I've learned personally, you never try to make any decision during the heat of the battle. Emotionally, you're always going to make the wrong choice. I think he'll walk away for a bit this summer, then decide what he wants to do.
"I just know that this has been emotionally draining for him. More than you guys, perhaps, would know. He feels awful about this. This is why he came here, to get to the playoffs and play in the playoffs. Not being able to do that, has really hurt him."
The Celtics are down in the Eastern Conference semi-finals series versus the Heat 3-1.
(Sources: ESPN.com)
Hollywood Collectibles, a long-time leader in the sports memorabilia industry, offers a great selection of Shaquille O'Neal memorabilia by which to commemorate the legendary career of this basketball icon. We also carry Boston Celtics memorabilia, Miami Heat memorabilia, and much more!
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