BOSTON (AP)—Shaquille O’Neal(notes) lasted a little more than 5 minutes in his
return for the Boston Celtics on Sunday before limping off the floor with a
strained right calf.
It’s a different injury than the one that kept him out for the previous 27
games. The Celtics said he would be evaluated at halftime, and it’s possible he
could return.
O’Neal hadn’t played since Feb. 1 because of a strained left Achilles’
tendon. He came into the game with 4:43 left in the first quarter against
Detroit and scored on Boston’s first two possessions. He added another basket
before taking a seat with 3 seconds left in the quarter.
He went back in for the start of the second, but during a break in the first
minute he limped off to the locker room accompanied by medical staff.
O’Neal signed with the Celtics for the veteran’s minimum last summer for the
chance to win his fifth NBA title. He has been limited to 37 games this season
and is averaging 9.3 points.
