WALTHAM, Mass. (AP) — Celtics coach Doc Rivers says Shaquille O’Neal missed Boston’s practice on Monday because the veteran center forgot the time it was scheduled to start.
O’Neal’s absence comes after Rivers gave the Celtics Saturday and Sunday off to enjoy the Thanksgiving weekend.
Asked if he would punish the 7-foot-1, 325-pound O’Neal, Rivers joked: “I was going to spank him. He may not hurt. It may hurt me.”
Rivers said punishing a player or handing out a fine sometimes depends on whether they have a history of transgressions, adding: “It’s life, you move on.”
Glen Davis took O’Neal’s spot among the starters in practice.
