Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal sat out Indiana's regular-season opener against Washington on Wednesday night because of a hyperextended left knee.

O'Neal, a six-time All-Star, was hurt Oct. 8 when he collided with Shawne Williams during practice.

"Jermaine practiced today, but he's not ready to play," Pacers' coach Jim O' Brien said. "We expect him to play [Friday] against Miami."

Ike Diogu replaced O'Neal in the starting lineup.

Pacers center Troy Murphy also missed the game because of a strained left Achilles tendon. Williams sat out the first game of a three-game suspension for getting caught driving without a license.

According to two league executives that spoke with David Aldridge, the Lakers and Pacers are once again discussing a Jermaine O'Neal trade.

In the summer, the two clubs discussed a trade where Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum would go to Indiana.  The trade was nixed by the Lakers because they insisted on not including Bynum.

The Pacers still would like Bynum included, according to Aldridge who spoke with Donnie Walsh.

The Indiana Pacers could be without two starters when they open the season Wednesday against the Washington Wizards.

Jermaine O'Neal and Troy Murphy are listed as doubtful. Jeff Foster and Ike Diogu likely will start if O'Neal and Murphy don't play.

"I'm still holding out hope that I'll be able to play Wednesday," O'Neal said Monday. "If not, we're pretty sure that I'll be able to play Friday (against the Miami Heat)."

The Indiana Pacers announced Monday they have signed forward Courtney Sims to a contract.  Per club policy, terms of the contract were not released.

With the Oct. 31 deadline just two days away, all indications point to Pacers center David Harrison not getting a contract extension.

Pacers president Larry Bird said earlier this month that they were going to let things "play out" before deciding if the fourth-year player would get an extension.

Pacers officials don't feel like they have to rush to extend Harrison because he'll be a restricted free agent next summer, meaning they have the right to match any offer he receives.

Harrison averaged 3.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 14 minutes during the preseason.

Jamaal Tinsley has been in Indianapolis for seven years, and sometimes it's as if he's a complete stranger, freshly arrived in this city.

New coach Jim O'Brien and his fast-paced offense is giving Tinsley yet another fresh start.

"It's on me now," Tinsley said the other day. "The ball's in my hands. There's no more excuses. This is a great system for me. It's a guard-oriented system, and the sky's the limit. He's putting me into a great situation, knowing my creative skills making plays, getting people open."

"On any given night, if I want to, I can score 20 points, but sometimes we don't need that. Four points and 10 assists, if that's what they need, I'm fine as long as we're winning. It's up to me now, as long as I'm healthy."

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday they have waived Lukasz Obrzut and Courtney Sims.

The Pacers' roster now stands at 14.

Indiana Pacers' forward Jermaine O'Neal will miss Tuesday's preseason game - his third straight - at Minnesota with a swollen left knee.

Pacers' coach Jim O'Brien said forward Shawne Williams will sit out the final two preseason games as the team works to find a rotation for the season opener against Washington on Oct. 31.

Pacers' president Larry Bird suspended Williams for the first three regular-season games after Williams was arrested last month.

Jermaine O'Neal said he hopes to play Tuesday at Minneapolis. If not then, he plans to go in the final preseason game at Memphis on Friday.

O'Neal bumped knees with teammate Shawne Williams at the end of  a practice several weeks ago. He continued to play, but the swelling did not go down so he sat out games on Friday and Saturday.

"The way we play you're almost afraid to take time off because you don't want to fall out of shape," he said. "We're just kind of dealing with it. This is the perfect time to get it rested."

Reggie Miller decided against a comeback bid at 42 years old with the Boston Celtics and instead might announce some of their games.

He is teaming exclusively with Hall of Fame broadcaster Marv Albert this season to form one of Turner Network Television's top basketball announcing teams.

Their debut will be Oct. 30, when Portland visits San Antonio.