MIAMI (AP) -Heat center Shaquille O’Neal and point guard Jason Williams were listed as day-to-day Thursday, after both had nagging injuries checked out by Miami team doctors.
O’Neal got treatment on his achy hips. Tests performed on Williams’ sore left knee did not reveal any major problems, and both may be available when the struggling Heat (8-21) host the Orlando Magic on Friday.
O’Neal, who has played this season with a sore thigh muscle, said he aggravated the hip problem by diving for a loose ball last Saturday in a win over the Utah Jazz. He has played in both of Miami’s games since, although he managed only five points in Wednesday’s loss at Philadelphia.
Williams’ injury is believed to be a flareup of tendinitis, something he’s battled often in recent years. He underwent right-knee surgery to relieve the problem after Miami won the 2006 NBA championship.
In other injury news, the Heat are not certain if backup point guard Chris Quinn will be available Friday.
Quinn is no longer wearing the walking boot on his sprained left ankle, but the team doesn’t know if the second-year player from Notre Dame is ready for a return to game action.
Without Williams and Quinn, Miami played in Philadelphia without any available point guards. The team’s third point, Smush Parker, has not been with the Heat in several weeks following an altercation with a female valet parking attendant.
If none of the three can play Friday, Miami coach Pat Riley indicated that rookie Daequan Cook may start at point guard.
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