NBA NOTES Pacers O'Neal sidelined with sore back

He missed Wednesday's loss to Denver, but could play Friday.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal was scratched from Wednesday night's preseason game against Denver with a sore back.
O'Neal was injured in Tuesday's overtime loss to Chicago. Indiana coach Rick Carlisle said his star player was hurt when Chicago's Kendall Gill inadvertently hit O'Neal in the back as he went up for a shot.
O'Neal was scheduled to have tests Wednesday night and will be evaluated this weekend by a back specialist, Carlisle said.
Carlisle would not rule out O'Neal playing Friday against Minnesota.
"We'll see how he feels in the next few days," Carlisle said.
Jeff Foster started in place of O'Neal.
O'Neal joins a growing list of injured Pacers, including Al Harrington (shin), Kenny Anderson (hamstring), Anthony Johnson (finger), Austin Croshere (hamstring) and Jonathan Bender (knee).
Stackhouse's return uncertain
WASHINGTON -- Jerry Stackhouse's knee injury is caused by a deterioration of the lining on the back of the knee cap, and it remains uncertain when he will return to the Washington Wizards' lineup.
The Wizards released the results of Stackhouse's MRI on Wednesday. While the test revealed no torn ligaments, it found the lining problem known as chondromalacia.
"Jerry continues to experience discomfort," said Ernie Grunfeld, the team's president of basketball operations. "Our team doctors will consult with Jerry as well as the other physician who examined him, and together we will determine the best course of action."
Stackhouse has been bothered by his right knee since the final weeks of last season. He played in Washington's first two exhibition games but has been sidelined for nearly a week.
Stackhouse led the Wizards in scoring and assists last season.
Stoudemire to skip two games
PHOENIX -- Rookie of the Year Amare Stoudemire will miss the Phoenix Suns' next two exhibition games to attend his grandfather's funeral in Florida. The Suns said Wednesday they would be without the power forward against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight and the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday.
Stoudemire averaged 13.2 points and 8.8 rebounds last season, helping the Suns make the playoffs.