The Celtics will once again be without center Shaquille O’Neal on Tuesday night as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Shaq sat down in the first quarter of the C’s win over the Jazz on Friday with a sore right hip, and he hasn’t played since. He stayed home Saturday when the team traveled to Washington, and his exact return date is now unclear.
After Tuesday’s home tilt against the Cavs, the Celtics hit the road for a four-game West swing. Shaq is unlikely to play Thursday, when the C’s open the trip in Portland, but he may return either Friday in Phoenix or Sunday in Los Angeles. Both the Suns and Lakers are among his former teams.
“It’s not a very serious injury,” coach Doc Rivers said Monday. “But he is 38 years old. We’re going to be very cautious with him.”
