Shaquille O'Neal played just 13 minutes against the Magic on Saturday before fouling out.
"I guess they came out to see No. 26 today," O'Neal said. "... He was a great player out there today."
Referee Bob Delaney was the only person wearing No. 26 on the floor Saturday.
"They [fans] paid all that money to watch No. 26 play," O'Neal said. "If I was a fan, I would be pissed. You pay all that money for good seats, you have two of the best guys in the [NBA] sitting on the bench, out of the game. That is what happens when you have control freaks out there."
Dwight Howard picked up five fouls, including a technical, while being held to six points in 33 minutes.
"It's just two good guys going out there hard," O'Neal said of his battle with Howard. "I just wish we had the opportunity to play."