The Indiana Pacers might have to try to qualify for the playoffs without one of their top players.
Center Jermaine O'Neal, who has been sidelined with a bruised left knee, told The Indianapolis Star for Monday's editions that he is willing to sit out the rest of the season to make sure his injury heals properly.
"That's really the prime option for me," O'Neal told the newspaper, referring to sitting out the rest of this season. "We're going to rehab now like it was the summer, with an extensive rehab. If that consists of a month or the rest of the season, I need to take the necessary steps to not come back on something that's not really healthy.
AND MORE BAD NEWS FOR THE LAKERS!
With Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm already out for the Lakers, L.A.'s front court took another hit.
Forward Trevor Ariza, acquired from Orlando on Nov. 20, fractured a bone in his right foot during practice Sunday.
Ariza, who was averaging 5.5 points and 3.1 rebounds in 35 games so far this season, will meet with a foot specialist to determine the extent of the injury and place a timetable for his return to the Lakers' lineup.