Jermaine O'Neal was scratched from game sore back

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INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal was scratched from Wednesday night's preseason game against Denver with a sore back.




O'Neal was injured in Tuesday's overtime loss to Chicago. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said his star player was hurt when Chicago's Kendall Gill inadvertently hit O'Neal in the back as he went up for a shot.




O'Neal was scheduled to have tests Wednesday night and will be evaluated this weekend by a back specialist, Carlisle said.




Carlisle would not rule out O'Neal playing Friday against Minnesota.




"We'll see how he feels in the next few days," Carlisle said.






Jeff Foster started in place of O'Neal.




O'Neal joins a growing list of injured Pacers, including Al Harrington (shin), Kenny Anderson (hamstring), Anthony Johnson (finger), Austin Croshere (hamstring) and Jonathan Bender (knee).


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As of this posting...O'Neal isn't expected to play Friday night against the T-Wolves, he's going to be looked at by Boston orthopedic specialist Dan Dyrek on Saturday, when the Pacers play the Celtics in Manchester, N.H.

Kenny Anderson is likely to make his Pacers' debut this Friday night. Al Harrington is also scheduled to return to the lineup that night as well.