Shaquille O'Neal's injured abdomen apparently hasn't affected his boxing skills.

O'Neal sat out Friday's game with an abdominal strain, but that didn't stop him from fouling Utah center Greg Ostertag. O'Neal knocked Ostertag to the floor with an open-hand slap between afternoon practice sessions at the Forum, according to a radio reporter who witnessed the altercation.

Los Angeles Lakers officials confirmed something happened, but offered no details. O'Neal and Ostertag both declined to speak to the media.

According to the team, O'Neal and Ostertag exchanged barbs as the Lakers were leaving the floor and Utah was coming out for practice. The dialogue was reportedly a continuation of comments the two made about each other during and after the Lakers-Jazz playoff series in May.

The mutual dissing climaxed after Utah eliminated the Lakers in the conference semifinals. Ostertag, miffed that he still was getting no respect, especially from O'Neal, said, "But I guess that's why he's playing golf right now and I'm in the Western Conference Finals."

Ostertag was not injured in Friday's incident and started the game.

The Lakers said the NBA has already spoken to both teams, and O'Neal has spoken to NBA officials, who are investigating. O'Neal could potentially be suspended after he returns from injury.

Team spokesman John Black said O'Neal apologized to coach Del Harris, General Manager Mitch Kupchak and Executive Vice President Jerry West. As for apologizing to Ostertag, Black said, "Shaq said he will speak to him again when he gets the opportunity."

Harris said he didn't see the scuffle, which he called "a minor incident" and didn't seem overly concerned. "I obviously would prefer a calm sea," he said. "I know he felt bad when he and I talked about it."

O'Neal, who has not practiced since he reaggravated the abdominal strain Oct. 21, will be re-examined by team physician Dr. Stephen Lombardo on Monday. His status for Tuesday's game at Sacramento will be determined then.

Nets sign Douglas: Veteran point guard Sherman Douglas signed a one-year contract with the New Jersey Nets.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed by the Nets, but sources close to the team said Douglas is getting the league minimum of $272,500. He is also getting $4 million from Cleveland as part of his old contract.

Entering his ninth season, Douglas has averaged 12.3 points and 6.8 assists a game in his career. The Syracuse product was originally a second-round draft pick by Miami. He was traded to Boston in 1992, and he has also played with Milwaukee and Cleveland. The Cavaliers traded him to Denver on Oct. 20 but the Nuggets recently waived him.

"We are very pleased to add a player with the qualifications of Sherman Douglas to our backcourt rotation," Nets coach John Calipari said. "He is a veteran point guard who can run the offense, can start in case of injury and had playoff experience."