Shaq nears NBA return

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Jan 2, 2007 | by Associated Press

MIAMI -- Shaquille O'Neal will take the final stage of his knee rehabilitation on the road and may possibly return to the lineup by the Jan. 15 game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

O'Neal is recovering from Nov. 19 surgery to repair torn cartilage in his left knee and has missed 24 consecutive games. But coach Pat Riley said Monday the Heat center will soon start running and practicing with the team.

The Heat (13-17) play Wednesday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers and then start a six-game Western Conference road trip on Friday in Phoenix. The two-week trip, the Heat's longest of the season, ends against the Lakers at the Staples Center.

"He's to the point where it's time," Riley said after the team's two-hour practice at AmericanAirlines Arena. "He's ahead of schedule. He's been on the bike and the treadmill. He's really worked to be ready and now the test is when he starts to pound up and down the court."

The Heat have lost 15 of 26 games this season without O'Neal.

BOBCATS' WALLACE OUT: Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace will miss at least a week with a separated right shoulder. Wallace was injured when he dove for a loose ball Saturday in a win at Indiana. The Pacers' Jeff Foster landed on top of Wallace, driving his shoulder into the floor. Wallace started the Bobcats' first 30 games and is averaging 13.3 points and 5.4 rebounds. Guard Brevin Knight will miss at least three more weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a torn abdominal muscle.