Report: Shaq Hopes To Boot Injury, Eyes April 1 Return
BOSTON (CBS) - Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal is in a boot after receiving a cortisone shot on Tuesday, but still eyes an April 1st return, ESPNBoston.com is reporting.
The Celtics and Shaq, sidelined since February 1st with an Achilles injury, hope the boot will eliminate swelling in his his injured right foot.
Listen: The D.A. Show: Jess Camerato On Shaq's Return
Returning April 1st in Atlanta against the Hawks would give Shaq two weeks to get re-acclimated withthe team before the NBA playoffs start. O'Neal returns to a squad with many new faces, with the trade deadline acquisitions of Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic from the Oklahoma City Thunder. Krystic has been starting at center in Shaq's absense, but could find himself in the second unit once the O'Neal returns.
Shaq, in his 19th NBA season, started 36 games for Boston before the injury, averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds-per-game.
