-- Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O'Neal was placed on the injured list before Tuesday night's game against the Philadelphia 76ers because of soreness in his big right toe.

To replace the NBA's most dominant big man, the Lakers activated center Jelani McCoy from the injured list.

The move means O'Neal will miss at least five games, starting with the Christmas night contest against the Philadelphia 76ers, a rematch of the NBA Finals last June.

``He's had arthritis in his big toe for a long time,'' team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo said at halftime of Tuesday night's game. ``It just recently flared up, an occupational hazard.