MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Still bothered by a strained right calf, Shaquille O'Neal was not in uniform for the Los Angeles Lakers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.

It was the second consecutive game O'Neal missed since sustaining the injury at Seattle on Friday. He arrived at Target Center with the team, but wasn't on the bench when the game began.

Coach Phil Jackson was asked if he was hopeful O'Neal could play in at least one of the Lakers' back-to-back road games. Los Angeles plays at Denver on Wednesday night.

``Hope is a long word ... I'm not hopeful,'' Jackson said.

Another of the Lakers' top foursome, Karl Malone, is on the injured list with a sprained right knee.

Forward Rick Fox, who's been out since having surgery on his left foot last May, is nearing a return.

``He's close to being back as a player, but he's not close to being back as an NBA player yet,'' Jackson said.