Shaq sits against Wizards with sore thigh
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-13 09:34

Shaquille O'Neal's bruised thigh kept him out of a playoff game for the first time in his career. O'Neal was scratched about 20 minutes before the tip-off of Thursday night's Game 3 between the Miami Heat and Washington Wizards. The Heat led the series 2-0.

Miami Heat's Shaquille O' Neal, in street clothes, looks on during a timeout against the Washington Wizards during the second quarter of game three in the second round of the NBA Playoffs, Thursday, May 12, 2005, in Washington. [AP]

The injury ended a streak of 164 consecutive playoff games for O'Neal, who had never missed a postseason game — or a start — in 13 seasons with Orlando, the Los Angeles Lakers and Miami.

O'Neal missed the last two games of the regular season with the same injury. His movement was limited in the first-round series against New Jersey and in the first two games against the Wizards.

"It's a medical decision, period," coach Stan Van Gundy said. "It's never a good thing if you have to have one of your best players out. That's never a positive."

O'Neal scored 19 points in 26 minutes before fouling out in Game 1 on Sunday and was obviously laboring when he scored 16 points in 37 minutes in Game 2 on Tuesday. Through six postseason games, he has averaged 18 points, a career playoff low, and 8.2 rebounds.

Alonzo Mourning was listed in the starting lineup in O'Neal's spot.

"I've been there when I want my body to do one thing and it does another," Mourning said. "So I sympathize with him, but we've got to move on."

O'Neal hasn't spoken with reporters since Saturday, but his wife, Shaunie, offered a glimpse into his mind-set in an interview in Wednesday's Washington Post.

"The other night he came home and said, 'You see me? I look like a bum. I'm a bum, huh?' The last series against New Jersey, he kept calling me and saying, 'I look slow, didn't I?' " Shaunie O'Neal told the paper.

O'Neal's absence is a fortuitous boost for the Wizards, who are without two of their frontcourt players. Kwame Brown was suspended last week for the rest of the playoffs, and Etan Thomas sat out Thursday's game with an abdominal strain.

Close

Mavericks beat Suns 108-106 Arsenal crush Everton 7-0 Shandong Luneng into last eight of AFC Champions League

Today's Top News     Top Sports News
Hu, Soong join hands for Straits peace         Beijing offers Taiwan more conveniences         China and Japan seek to smooth relations         Power cuts to cast shadow over summer         Report: China auto sales hit record high         Foreigners encouraged to seek S&T partners	Shaq sits against Wizards with sore thigh       China cruise to third Sudirman Cup sweep       Figo move to J-League reported       Ronaldo pitches up for Middle East peace       Goal line technology will be ready for World Cup -Blatter       Pearce confirmed as Manchester City manager