Indianapolis ? Jermaine O’Neal is expected to miss at least eight weeks because of a left groin tear, leaving the Indiana Pacers without their leading scorer and rebounder.

The news came Thursday, a day after the Pacers acquired sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic from the Sacramento Kings for the volatile Ron Artest.

O’Neal was hurt during the fourth quarter of Indiana’s loss at Cleveland on Tuesday.

“When my injury happened, I knew it was going to be serious because of the actual pop in the area where I was having the most pain the last three or four weeks,” he said.

The Pacers described the injury as “significant,” but said it was doubtful he would need surgery.

O’Neal did not practice Thursday but was on the court with his teammates and took several shots at the basket.