BOSTON — Boston Celtics center Shaquille O’Neal limped off the court 5-1/2 minutes into his first game back in more than two months with a new injury that casts new doubt on his ability to help the team in the playoffs.

After missing 27 games with a sore right leg, O’Neal entered Sunday night’s game against the Detroit Pistons with 4:43 left in the first quarter. He scored on Boston’s first two possessions and again later before grabbing a seat for the final play of the quarter.