Celtics coach Doc Rivers today offered the most definitive statement on O'Neal's potential return, saying that O'Neal could play in Game 3 on Saturday.

"Right now we expect every single guy, including Shaq, to play," said Rivers.

Rivers said the Celtics did not practice today, so the team did not get a chance to look at O'Neal in a practice situation. If you're keeping track, O'Neal has gone through one full practice with the team since leaving a game on April 3 with what the Celtics described as a calf strain. That practice was Monday in Coral Gables, Fla. On Tuesday, Rivers said Shaq was "sore" and not ready to play in Game 2 that night.

If Shaq does play on Saturday, Rivers said he will not start.