PHOENIX SUNS

Suns’ Jermaine O’Neal out with irregular heartbeat

Jan 25, 2013, 4:16 PM | Updated: 4:20 pm

The Phoenix Suns have been without the services of veteran center Jermaine O’Neal for the last two games, and there had been some uncertainty as to just why that was.

Earlier this week, news spread of a heated argument between O’Neal and Suns general manager Lance Blanks. O’Neal took to Twitter to refute some of what had been reported, then disclosed that he was dealing with a medical issue.

O’Neal didn’t play in Thursday’s 93-88 win over the Los Angeles Clippers either, but did take time after the game to update his health status.

“The health issue was an irregular heartbeat,” he said. “It was scary. At 34 years old and you’re having issues with your heart not beating the way it’s supposed to beat and causing shortness of breath and dizziness — it’s not about basketball.

“I have two kids, I have a wife, I have a family I take care of and that was a concern.”

The Suns, unfortunately, aren’t unfamiliar with heart issues affecting players on their roster. Channing Frye has missed the entire season after he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart before the beginning of training camp.

“The last few days, they ran significant tests to figure out why the irregular heartbeat was happening,” O’Neal said. “So they put me on some medication. This is a three or four-day process to figure out if that helps — I’m not sure if that’s going to help.”

The Suns hit the road for the next two games against San Antonio Saturday and Dallas Sunday. O’Neal says he’s planning to travel with the team, but his playing status for the near future is still very much up in the air.

O’Neal is averaging 6.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 32 games this season, his first with the Suns.

Phoenix Suns

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

9 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

13 hours ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

16 hours ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

1 day ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: How the Suns lost to the Spurs before they stepped on the court

Burns & Gambo react to the Phoenix Suns stunning loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and try to figure out why it happened.

2 days ago

Suns’ Jermaine O’Neal out with irregular heartbeat