Injury update and return date thread

[Prof. Clutch]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1329422&srvc=sports&position=recent

celtics staff/doc are meeting with shaq this morning, and if he feels good, probably playing against the heat and traveling with the team.

TP, this is fantastic news.  It's gonna be a great game I think.

[P2]

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1329422&srvc=sports&position=recent

celtics staff/doc are meeting with shaq this morning, and if he feels good, probably playing against the heat and traveling with the team.

TP, this is fantastic news.  It's gonna be a great game I think.

Nice. But something tells me (heaven forbid) there's going to be some sort of setback and Shaq returns only for Game 1 of the First Round.

[j804]

Got your hopes up too soon 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4682710/shaq-does-not-travel-out-vs-heat-wiz

Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal did not travel with the team to Miami Saturday and has been ruled out for both of Boston's final two road games of the season.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers had said Friday that it was unlikely that Shaq would travel and, sure enough, he was the only player left behind as Boston will carry 14 healthy bodies for Sunday's showdown in Miami and Monday's visit to Washington.

With no scheduled practice days before the regular-season finale, it would appear that O'Neal might not be back on the floor until the postseason. The Celtics play game No. 82 on Wednesday night when the Knicks visit the TD Garden, then will likely enjoy three offdays before the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs open.

[mgent]

We got JO that's more than enough to beat the heat.

[Prof. Clutch]

Nice. But something tells me (heaven forbid) there's going to be some sort of setback and Shaq returns only for Game 1 of the First Round.

Wow, TP.
Did you call it, or did you call it!?  It only took 20 minutes for you to be proven right!

[Prof. Clutch]

Got your hopes up too soon 

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/celtics/post/_/id/4682710/shaq-does-not-travel-out-vs-heat-wiz

Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal did not travel with the team to Miami Saturday and has been ruled out for both of Boston's final two road games of the season.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers had said Friday that it was unlikely that Shaq would travel and, sure enough, he was the only player left behind as Boston will carry 14 healthy bodies for Sunday's showdown in Miami and Monday's visit to Washington.

With no scheduled practice days before the regular-season finale, it would appear that O'Neal might not be back on the floor until the postseason. The Celtics play game No. 82 on Wednesday night when the Knicks visit the TD Garden, then will likely enjoy three offdays before the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs open.

Just saw this over at the Boston Globe.  That's fine, better to rest him anyway.  The game tomorrow will still be exciting regardless.

[celticinorlando]

i expect we don't see shaq until round two. they can beat the knicks and sixers without him

[cman88]

http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2011/04/ainge_shaq_will.html

ainge says Shaq is going to practice thursday/Friday and should be ready for game 1 of the playoffs

[P2]

Alright, I just hope Delonte will be ready, too!

[gar]

Shaq needs to play regardless to get in shape and get his timing.

[celticinorlando]

we need shaq vs the knicks. the more size we have thebetter...plus he gets in shape.

[Mike-Dub]

we need shaq vs the knicks. the more size we have the better...plus he gets in shape.

Shaq looked to be in pretty darn good shape in his limited minutes against Detroit.

[BudweiserCeltic]

http://twitter.com/#!/scott_souza/status/58590710722600960

scott_souza
Shaquille O'Neal on practice floor, will try to do walkthrough today

[P2]

West is back without limitations. Shaq didn't practice, but will do so tomorrow. If the practice is good, he will play in Game 1.

Asked if he would rule O'Neal out for Game 1, Rivers said it was still too early to do that.

"No, we'll find out [Saturday]," said Rivers. "He’ll practice, hopefully [Saturday], then we’ll make a decision after that."

On the more definitive side, the Celtics enjoyed having 14 healthy bodies on the court, including Delonte West, who moved without limitation just four days after re-aggravating a right ankle injury.

Link.

[Lucky17]

Frankly, I'm buoyed more by the news about Delonte than about Shaq.