Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O'Neal will likely begin the 2002-03 season on the injured list, meaning he'll miss at least the first five games of the campaign.

Lakers coach Phil Jackson told The Los Angeles Daily News that O'Neal needs about two more weeks to recover from September toe surgery.

"We're pretty comfortable that we'll be playing a week and a half or two without Shaquille, and we'll have to hold the fort, so to speak, until he gets back," Jackson told the LA Daily News. back," Jackson told the LA Daily News.

O'Neal underwent surgery that removed painful bone spurs on September 11 at O'Neal underwent surgery that removed painful bone spurs on September 11 at UCLA's Outpatient Surgery Center. He had been suffering from a case of sesamoiditis, a form of tendinitis in the area beneath the toe, ever since the sesamoiditis, a form of tendinitis in the area beneath the toe, ever since the operation. operation.

O'Neal, who was not expected to be ready for the Lakers' season-opener against O'Neal, who was not expected to be ready for the Lakers' season-opener against San Antonio on October 29, will likely be placed on the IL on Monday when rosters are submitted. rosters are submitted.

The 30-year-old O'Neal has led the Lakers to three consecutive NBA championships, and played most of last season with pain in his right foot, missing 15 games. He averaged 27.2 points, and 10.7 rebounds last year, which was below his career averages.

The former LSU star will be entering his 11th season in the NBA, having also played with the Orlando Magic. He has averaged 27.6 points, 12.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over his career.

The Lakers are using Samaki Walker and Stanislav Medvedenko to fill in at center until the superstar center returns.