ducks
03-05-2005, 12:05 AM
Jermaine O'Neal placed on injured list; Pacers sign Dale Davis
By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer
March 4, 2005
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal was placed on the injured list Friday by the Indiana Pacers, one day after he sprained his right shoulder in a game at Denver.
O'Neal has a subluxated sprain of the right shoulder and will miss at least five games. He had an MRI examination before Friday night's game against Portland.
The Pacers also waived forward Michael Curry and signed veteran free agent forward Dale Davis, who was waived by New Orleans this week.
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O'Neal was injured with 4 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter against the Nuggets when his right arm was knocked back by Denver's Francisco Elson.
O'Neal stayed in the game after a timeout and, cradling his right arm by his side, made two left-handed free throws. He went to the locker room shortly thereafter. Initial X-Rays were negative.
Indiana went on to its third straight loss, 96-87.
The injury comes at a bad time for the Pacers, who were in the eighth and fail playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after the loss to the Nuggets. O'Neal is the Pacers' top scorer, averaging 24.8 points. He also averages nine rebounds.
Coach Rick Carlisle said the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Davis would start in place of O'Neal in Friday night's game at Portland.
``I'm going to put him out there and let him go,'' Carlisle said. ``That's the best way to get him entrenched in what we're doing.''
Davis' signing reunites him with the team where he began his career. The Pacers made him their No. 1 draft pick in 1991 (13th overall).
``It's unfortunate you have some guys that are banged up right now,'' he said. ``But it's an opportunity for me to play and get to know the system.''
The Pacers have been beset by injuries of late.
Point guard Jamaal Tinsley missed four games and was day-to-day with a bruised left foot. Forward Jeff Foster played at Denver, but missed the previous three games with back spasms.
``Everybody's going to have to pick it up,' Carlisle said.
Davis played nine seasons for the Pacers, averaging 9.4 points and 9.0 rebounds before he was traded to the Trail Blazers in a deal that sent O'Neal to Indiana.
Davis played four seasons for the Trail Blazers and was traded July 20, 2004, to Golden State. He played 36 games with the Warriors before he was dealt to the Hornets.
He was pursued by both the Pacers and Detroit Pistons, but ultimately settled on his former team.
``It just seemed a better fit for me,'' he said. ``Nothing against Detroit.''
The terms of Davis' contract with the Pacers were not released.
``He gives us depth up front, which is important since we've been bothered by injuries there all season, he gives us rebounding, which we need, and he's one of the best defensive post players we've ever had,'' team president Donnie Walsh said.
By ANNE M. PETERSON, AP Sports Writer
March 4, 2005
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- All-Star forward Jermaine O'Neal was placed on the injured list Friday by the Indiana Pacers, one day after he sprained his right shoulder in a game at Denver.
O'Neal has a subluxated sprain of the right shoulder and will miss at least five games. He had an MRI examination before Friday night's game against Portland.
The Pacers also waived forward Michael Curry and signed veteran free agent forward Dale Davis, who was waived by New Orleans this week.
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O'Neal was injured with 4 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter against the Nuggets when his right arm was knocked back by Denver's Francisco Elson.
O'Neal stayed in the game after a timeout and, cradling his right arm by his side, made two left-handed free throws. He went to the locker room shortly thereafter. Initial X-Rays were negative.
Indiana went on to its third straight loss, 96-87.
The injury comes at a bad time for the Pacers, who were in the eighth and fail playoff spot in the Eastern Conference after the loss to the Nuggets. O'Neal is the Pacers' top scorer, averaging 24.8 points. He also averages nine rebounds.
Coach Rick Carlisle said the 6-foot-11, 230-pound Davis would start in place of O'Neal in Friday night's game at Portland.
``I'm going to put him out there and let him go,'' Carlisle said. ``That's the best way to get him entrenched in what we're doing.''
Davis' signing reunites him with the team where he began his career. The Pacers made him their No. 1 draft pick in 1991 (13th overall).
``It's unfortunate you have some guys that are banged up right now,'' he said. ``But it's an opportunity for me to play and get to know the system.''
The Pacers have been beset by injuries of late.
Point guard Jamaal Tinsley missed four games and was day-to-day with a bruised left foot. Forward Jeff Foster played at Denver, but missed the previous three games with back spasms.
``Everybody's going to have to pick it up,' Carlisle said.
Davis played nine seasons for the Pacers, averaging 9.4 points and 9.0 rebounds before he was traded to the Trail Blazers in a deal that sent O'Neal to Indiana.
Davis played four seasons for the Trail Blazers and was traded July 20, 2004, to Golden State. He played 36 games with the Warriors before he was dealt to the Hornets.
He was pursued by both the Pacers and Detroit Pistons, but ultimately settled on his former team.
``It just seemed a better fit for me,'' he said. ``Nothing against Detroit.''
The terms of Davis' contract with the Pacers were not released.
``He gives us depth up front, which is important since we've been bothered by injuries there all season, he gives us rebounding, which we need, and he's one of the best defensive post players we've ever had,'' team president Donnie Walsh said.