SAN ANTONIO ? Shaquille O’Neal plans to make his season debut for the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night at home against the Chicago Bulls.

The All-Star center, who had surgery on his arthritic right big toe in early September, is scheduled for another checkup by team doctors today.

“I’ll probably get cleared tomorrow, so hopefully I can come back on Friday,” O’Neal said before the Lakers’ game against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday.

“I have to see my doctor, my therapist,” O’Neal said. “He has to take X-rays, look at the foot, take blood and all that stuff.”

At the time of the injury, it was expected the All-Star center would be sidelined six-to-eight weeks.

Without him, the Lakers have struggled to a 3-8 record coming into Wednesday night’s game. On Tuesday, the team was routed by undefeated Dallas 98-72 to fall to 1-5 on the road.

Raptors sign Jackson

Toronto ” Guard Jermaine Jackson signed with the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, rejoining a team trying to bolster an injury-depleted roster.

Jackson appeared in 24 games with the Raptors last season but was the final training-camp cut in October.

Dickau’s knee ailing

Atlanta ” Rookie Dan Dickau of the Atlanta Hawks will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks because of a cartilage tear in his left knee.

Dickau underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday which team doctor Dr. Michael Bernot termed successful.

In six games, the rookie from Gonzaga averaged 1.7 points and 0.8 rebounds.

Whitney placed on IR

Denver ” The Denver Nuggets placed point guard Chris Whitney on the injured list on Wednesday and activated guard Predrag Savovic from the injured list. Whitney sprained his left ankle on Nov. 5 against Atlanta. He played in three of the next six games, but the soreness persisted.