THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WALTHAM, Mass. — Shaquille O’Neal is expected to play for the Boston Celtics in the playoffs for the first time in Game 3 against the Miami Heat.
Coach Doc Rivers said Thursday the centre likely will return from a right calf injury Saturday night against the Heat, who lead the best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal series 2-0.
O’Neal had missed 27 games with a sore right leg. He returned on April 4 against Detroit but lasted five minutes 29 seconds before leaving with the calf problem.
Rivers said that barring a setback, O’Neal will play Saturday but won’t start.
O’Neal played 37 games this season, averaging 20.3 minutes, 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. The Celtics traded centre Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City on Feb. 24, hoping O’Neal would return sooner.