O'Neal leaves Heat for medical help

Jan 7, 2008 - 6:43 PM MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) - Center Shaquille O'Neal, who is struggling through the worst season of his 16-year career, has left the Miami Heat to seek medical treatment for his ailing hip.

O'Neal, 35, has missed Miami's last five games, including the first two contests of the team's five-game road trip.

On Sunday, he said he hoped to return to the lineup for Tuesday's contest at Minnesota. Instead, he will seek medical help in Los Angeles.

Heat coach Pat Riley told the Miami Herald that O'Neal was on a Monday morning flight to Los Angeles, where he has a home and medical contacts dating to his days with the Lakers.

O'Neal bruised his left hip while diving for a loose ball during Miami's December 22 game against Utah. Four days later, he aggravated the injury in a loss at Philadelphia.

O'Neal has been playing with pain in his right hip and surgically repaired left knee since the beginning of the season. He has taken cortison shots to ease the pain in his hip and knee - something he hopes he does not have to repeat.

O'Neal stopped taking the shots on December 27 but said Sunday that he is still feeling pain in the joints.

"It's still the same," he said. "I still feel it when I have to jump, especially when I have to jump with people on me."

In 29 games this season, O'Neal is averaging only 14.0 points and 7.8 rebounds - well below his career marks of 25.6 points and a 11.5 rebounds per game.

Miami has lost seven straight games and owns the worst record in the Eastern Conference at 8-26.