Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal traveled to Maryland today with Cavaliers Head Team Physician Dr. Richard Parker from The Cleveland Clinic for additional evaluation of his right thumb sprain by Dr. Thomas Graham at the National Hand Center in Baltimore. O'Neal is now scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the thumb Monday morning at Union Memorial Hospital in Baltimore. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Graham, with Dr. Parker assisting. His status will be updated following the surgery and a time table for his return to play will be established at that point.
O'Neil had surgery on the same thumb in 1995 and missed 22 games while a member of the Orlando Magic. Using that number as a guide, it s a safe bet that O'Neal will likely miss the rest of the regular season.