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O'Neal to miss Game 1 with calf injury

Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal (36) makes a basket over Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) in the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on January 30, 2011. The Celtics won 109 to 96. UPI/Lori Shepler
Boston Celtics center Shaquille O'Neal (36) makes a basket over Los Angeles Lakers power forward Pau Gasol (16) in the first half of their NBA basketball game in Los Angeles on January 30, 2011. The Celtics won 109 to 96. UPI/Lori Shepler | License Photo

BOSTON, April 16 (UPI) -- Boston center Shaquille O'Neal will miss the first game of the Celtics' first-round playoff series with a strained right calf, the team said Saturday.

Team President Danny Ainge told reporters O'Neal wasn't able to complete a running test Saturday during a practice session in advance of Sunday's Game 1 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals against the New York Knicks.

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O'Neal hasn't seen action since sustaining the injury in an April 4 game against the Detroit Pistons.

Celtics team physician Brian McKeon told NBA.com O'Neal has been receiving intensive massage treatment for his calf and Achilles' tendon but could only practice for a few minutes Saturday before the pain became too intense to continue.

Ainge wouldn't hazard a guess on how long O'Neal would be out or if he would be able to play in the New York series at all, the Web site reported.

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