Shaq out with knee injury

O’Neal had missed 18 games earlier in the season with a sprained right ankle, which was the most action he had missed since he was held out of 20 games with an abdominal strain during the 1997-98 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He is averaging 20.1 points and 9.2 rebounds in 51 contests this season.

The 7-foot-1 O’Neal is listed as day-to-day due to the injury.

Miami has already clinched a playoff berth this season and holds a 10-game lead over the Washington Wizards for first place in the Southeast Division. The squad trails Detroit by nine games for first place overall in the Eastern Conference.