EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Shaquille O'Neal went through a light practice Tuesday and might play in the Los Angeles Lakers' next game after missing the last 12.

``I feel pretty good. We didn't really run that long,'' O'Neal said. ``Hopefully, I can play tomorrow. If not, hopefully I can play Friday night. I'm a little winded. I can still do damage out there.''

The Lakers (26-15) host Seattle on Wednesday and Minnesota on Friday.

Karl Malone, meanwhile, isn't expected to return until after the All-Star break, so he will probably miss another nine games with a right knee injury.

O'Neal has been sidelined since straining his right calf Jan. 2 in the second quarter of a 111-109 loss at Seattle. He missed two games in late November because of a similar injury.

O'Neal was examined Tuesday morning by a team doctor and cleared to practice.

``We had to kind of twist the doctor's arm to get him out here to run full-court,'' Lakers coach Phil Jackson said. ``He looked fine _ he was light on his feet. We didn't run too hard.

``He's moving fine. He's pretty much in a position where he can play. We'll have to see what tomorrow brings.''

O'Neal will see the doctor again before the Lakers' shootaround Wednesday. He plans to play if the doctor clears him, saying, ``The true test is in the morning.''

O'Neal, averaging 20.0 points and 11.6 rebounds, also said he'd like to get ``a real hard, physical practice in'' before returning to action. If that's the case, he might not play until Friday or during a seven-game road trip that begins Sunday in Toronto.

The Lakers are 5-7 during O'Neal's absence. They also played those 12 games without Malone, who has been sidelined since spraining a ligament in his right knee Dec. 21, and half of them without Kobe Bryant, who sprained his right shoulder Jan. 12.

Bryant didn't practice for the second straight day because of soreness in his shoulder. He returned last Saturday night and had 21 points and six assists in a 93-86 victory at Utah.

Bryant didn't speak with reporters, but as he left the Lakers' practice facility, he indicated he plans to play against the Sonics.

``I expect he'll play,'' Lakers spokesman John Black said. ``He said the shoulder is feeling better.''

Black also said Malone was examined Tuesday morning and, while there was slightly less swelling in his knee, he won't be checked again until after the All-Star break.

Malone, who missed 10 games in his first 18 NBA seasons _ all with Utah _ has sat out 16 since being injured. The Lakers are 6-10 in those games.

Rookie forward Luke Walton was sent home Tuesday because of a sore throat, but is expected to play against the Sonics.