O’Neal: Hip sound after first practice

Shaquille O’Neal practiced with the Phoenix Suns for the first time Monday, showing no sign of the hip injury that has sidelined him since Jan. 21.

“It was different. It was very intense,” he said after the one-hour workout. “I learned a lot. Now I can see why they can go at the pace they play at. When you just do short bursts like this, then you can save it all for the game.”

Just when he will play his first game as a Sun remained undecided.

“I haven’t done anything in a month, but I’m in pretty good shape,” O’Neal said. “It will probably take me a few more days to get in tune. The good thing about these guys here is they told me when I’m comfortable, when I’m 1,000%, then I can join them.”

Phoenix has two games before the All-Star break -- at Golden State on Wednesday night and at home against Dallas on Thursday. The first game after the break is at home against the Lakers.

Coach Mike D’Antoni said the Suns would “not rush him back for any reason.” The coach said he’d meet with O’Neal and trainer Aaron Nelson after today’s practice to map out plans.

O’Neal injured his hip diving for a loose ball against Utah on Dec. 22. He returned Jan. 16 but was sidelined again five days later. An MRI exam showed inflammation in the left hip.

“The hip’s feeling pretty good, better than it’s felt in a while,” O’Neal said. “I’m used to just getting injections and going back out there. They told me they have their style, and they want me to stick with it.”

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Toronto Raptors Coach Sam Mitchell took a leave of absence after the death of his father-in-law in Atlanta.

A team spokesman said Mitchell would rejoin the Raptors after the All-Star break.

Assistant Mike Evans coached the team Monday against San Antonio, and fellow assistant Jay Triano will coach them Wednesday against New Jersey.