ducks
10-18-2003, 02:38 PM
Forward bothered by back injury early
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal said Friday he might miss the 2004 Olympics if his recurring back injury does not heal.
O'Neal and point guard Kenny Anderson (hamstring) will miss at least the next two preseason games with injuries, coach Rick Carlisle said.
The Pacers were to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
O'Neal's back has bothered him since he crashed into a camera during a game two years ago, O'Neal said after the team's morning shootaround.
He aggravated the bruise in Tuesday night's game against Chicago, when Bulls guard Kendall Gill ran into him as he went up for a shot.
O'Neal said his back has typically given him problems at the end of the NBA season. This year it's starting early, and he attributed that to playing for the U.S. team the last two summers.
"I hope it's just wear and tear and nothing serious," O'Neal said.
He's scheduled to see a back specialist in Boston on Saturday.
"They're both doing a little better, but we're going to err on the side of caution," Carlisle said of Anderson and O'Neal.
Carlisle said both players will practice next week and hopefully be ready for the final two preseason games.
"There's no sense in messing around with these things if they're not 100 percent," Carlisle said. "We have to make sure these guys are healthy."
link (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1640353)
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal said Friday he might miss the 2004 Olympics if his recurring back injury does not heal.
O'Neal and point guard Kenny Anderson (hamstring) will miss at least the next two preseason games with injuries, coach Rick Carlisle said.
The Pacers were to host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
O'Neal's back has bothered him since he crashed into a camera during a game two years ago, O'Neal said after the team's morning shootaround.
He aggravated the bruise in Tuesday night's game against Chicago, when Bulls guard Kendall Gill ran into him as he went up for a shot.
O'Neal said his back has typically given him problems at the end of the NBA season. This year it's starting early, and he attributed that to playing for the U.S. team the last two summers.
"I hope it's just wear and tear and nothing serious," O'Neal said.
He's scheduled to see a back specialist in Boston on Saturday.
"They're both doing a little better, but we're going to err on the side of caution," Carlisle said of Anderson and O'Neal.
Carlisle said both players will practice next week and hopefully be ready for the final two preseason games.
"There's no sense in messing around with these things if they're not 100 percent," Carlisle said. "We have to make sure these guys are healthy."
link (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1640353)