Lakers Will Lose Van Exel For Three Weeks
Nick Van Exel had diagnostic arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Thursday and is expected to be sidelined at least three weeks.
The Los Angeles Lakers point guard was diagnosed with a small defect on the back of the kneecap that caused a popping sensation in the knee.
“This is a noncorrectable problem which should not affect Van Exel’s performance in the future,” the team said in a press release. “Van Exel also had some bone fragments and scar tissue removed, which probably contributed to the problem.”
Team physician Dr. Steve Lombardo performed the procedure, which lasted about 25 minutes. Van Exel will begin a rehabilitation program in the next two or three days and miss at least three more weeks of action.
The 26-year-old point guard hasn’t played since Feb. 15.
Kings coach goes ballistic
The New Jersey Nets got all the calls and bounces in the final minute and defeated the visiting Sacramento Kings 102-99 in a game that ended with Kings coach Eddie Jordan screaming at referee Leroy Richardson at midcourt.
The confrontation came seconds after Mitch Richmond’s desperation 3-pointer bounced off the front of the rim, sending the Kings to their fifth straight loss in a game where they held an 18-point first-half lead.
The wild ending also featured a questionable foul call against Kings forward Corliss Williamson after he rebounded a missed foul shot by Otis Thorpe with 24.9 seconds left and Sacramento behind 96-95.
The foul call so enraged Jordan that he walked onto the court and screamed at Richardson, drawing a technical foul. Williamson, who had a career-high 30 points, slammed the ball on the court and raised his jersey above his head.
On the courts
Karl Malone had 28 points and 17 rebounds as the Utah Jazz defeated the visiting Phoenix Suns 108-97 Thursday.
At Houston, Hakeem Olajuwon scored 20 points, giving him 24,000 for his career, as the Houston Rockets pounded the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-98.
Tim Duncan had 24 points and 11 rebounds as the San Antonio Spurs beat the visiting Toronto Raptors 97-86.