Miami Heat center Shaquille O'Neal returned to practice Sunday after missing eight games with a hip injury.

Heat Coach Pat Riley said O'Neal, "is going to be ready for Wednesday" when the Heat play against the Chicago Bulls.

O'Neal did not participate in contact drills Sunday but did do a lot of weight training, cardiovascular work, and completed shooting drills. He is expected to practice more Monday and Tuesday.

O'Neal flew to Los Angeles last week to receive medical treatment on his hip. He bruised his left hip Dec. 22 when he dived for a loose ball and slid into the scorer's table during a win over Utah.

He aggravated the injury Dec. 26 against Philadelphia and has not played since.