Kori Ellis
01-03-2006, 12:40 PM
O'Neal has pneumonia
SportsTicker
INDIANAPOLIS - Jermaine O'Neal has pneumonia.
The All-Star forward of the Indiana Pacers was not in uniform for Monday's home game against Seattle. It is unclear when he will practice or play again.
A team spokesman confirmed that O'Neal has pneumonia but has not been placed on the inactive list.
A 6-11 power forward, O'Neal is averaging 22.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.33 blocks in 27 games this season. He ranks 15th, 11th and eighth in the NBA, respectively, in those categories.
The absence of O'Neal leaves the Pacers without their two best players. Forward Ron Artest has been inactive since requesting a trade, which the team reportedly is pursuing.
In his 10th season and sixth with the Pacers, O'Neal has averaged 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 590 games.
The four-time All-Star was drafted out of high school by Portland in 1996 and languished on the bench for four seasons before blossoming with Indiana, which traded for him in the summer of 2000.
SportsTicker
INDIANAPOLIS - Jermaine O'Neal has pneumonia.
The All-Star forward of the Indiana Pacers was not in uniform for Monday's home game against Seattle. It is unclear when he will practice or play again.
A team spokesman confirmed that O'Neal has pneumonia but has not been placed on the inactive list.
A 6-11 power forward, O'Neal is averaging 22.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.33 blocks in 27 games this season. He ranks 15th, 11th and eighth in the NBA, respectively, in those categories.
The absence of O'Neal leaves the Pacers without their two best players. Forward Ron Artest has been inactive since requesting a trade, which the team reportedly is pursuing.
In his 10th season and sixth with the Pacers, O'Neal has averaged 13.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 590 games.
The four-time All-Star was drafted out of high school by Portland in 1996 and languished on the bench for four seasons before blossoming with Indiana, which traded for him in the summer of 2000.