Turn out the lights, the party’s over. Injured Celtic center Shaquille O’Neal has likely played his last game in the NBA. Shaq will sit out game five and beyond as he has been unable to overcome the injury suffered to his calf in early February. What seemed like a routine calf sprain has essentially derailed the Celtics season with so much riding on the big fella. From playing time to possibly not even making the Perkins trade, the fate of a season rested heavily on a player only expected to play 15-20 minutes a game. A sad ending to one of the greatest careers of all time.

Said head coach Doc Rivers: “Nothing he can do, it’s not like he’s not trying. I told our team that [Tuesday]. You know, he’s done everything you possibly can do to get healthy. And unfortunately for him, he just hasn’t been able to do it. When he was originally injured, no one even thought it was that serious.”

Shaq is technically under contract next season with the Celtics, however, his age and the uncertainty due to the ongoing NBA labor situation make a return to the green team highly unlikely.

Boston Celtics injured center Shaquille O’Neal has been officially ruled out of tonight’s game two match up against the New York Knicks.

Now, this may not come as of a surprise considering the massive amount of games Shaq has already missed this season, however. reports are beginning to trickle out that Shaq is not really able to run let alone practice on his injured calf. The latest injury update is beginning to finally make fans realize that Shaquille O’Neal just may not ever suit up for the green again.

The loss of Shaquille O’Neal is not as devastating as one would think thanks largely in part to the rebirth of Jermaine O’Neal and due to the fact that the Celtics, if they advance this far, would not face a team with a legitimate center until round three of the playoffs. Round three….

Said Billups: “It’s really sore today, but we’re going to treat it all day today and tomorrow and see how it goes. At this point in the season, this is the worst thing that could possibly happen, getting hurt in the first game of a tough series. I know my team needs me and it’s just frustrating.”

The Knicks have not ruled out the possibility of an MRI. Billups is hoping to return to action in game three when the series heads to New York.

If Billups is unable to go, backup guard Toney Douglas will get the start. Douglas hit a key three pointer putting the Knicks ahead 85-82 on Sunday night with 37.8 seconds left in the game. Although a downgrade from Billups, Douglas has played well at times this season spelling Billups.