Shaquille O'Neal was set to miss two NBA games for the Phoenix Suns after his great-grandmother died at the age of 92, the Suns announced Wednesday.

Rookie center Robin Lopez will get the call to replace the NBA legend when the Suns visit Los Angeles on Wednesday to face the Lakers and could start again on Friday when the Suns host another of O'Neal's former NBA clubs, Orlando.

O'Neal scored a season-high 35 points in a 125-110 victory over Milwaukee on Tuesday and said he would not play Wednesday against the Lakers.

Suns general manager Steve Kerr said O'Neal is expected to miss Friday's game to attend the funeral in North Carolina.

(Xinhua News Agency December 11, 2008)