Boston Celtics center Jermaine O'Neal is contemplating season-ending surgery to repair a wrist injury initially suffered last season, the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn reports.

The wrist injury, which flared up recently and has kept O'Neal out of the lineup for the past three outings, is worse than expected. O'Neal said his other options for recovery are to undergo a lesser surgery that would allow him to return this season, or to take a cortisone shot that would likely keep him sidelined for two weeks.

Chris Wilcox has performed admirably in O'Neal's absence, taking advantage of an increased role by snatching 24 combined rebounds in the past two games. Though his interior defense is not on par with O'Neal's, Wilcox uses his athleticism to fill lanes on the break, giving Boston another dimension O'Neal cannot provide.

O'Neal's two seasons with the Celtics have both been clouded by injuries. He played in just 24 games last season and has already missed nine this year.

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