Sekou Smith of the Indianapolis Star reports that Jermaine O'Neal went to see Boston physical therapist Dan Dyrek, who helped prolong the careers of Larry Bird and Rik Smits, on Saturday. O'Neal has been bothered by swollen tissue in his lower back around his spine.

"My understanding is that he's got some problems but nothing that can't be worked through with therapy and the right kind of approach," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know an exact timetable. I would characterize the news I got as very encouraging."

O'Neal sounded encouraged after the meeting.

"I'm not in any rush to play again until the regular season," O'Neal said. "I still can't do any contact work for the next few days and that will run into next week's (preseason) games. Hopefully, come the 29th (of October), I've got enough rest in, enough treatment in and enough cardio work to be ready to play.

"I'm glad I don't need any surgery. (Dyrek) explained why I was hurting and why my back was doing what it was doing. It's a cycle going on, repercussions from some old injuries and stuff combined with some new stuff. One bad hit could really put me in a bad way so I'm going to take my time with it."