Harris Happy With Van Exel

Shaquille O’Neal is not trying to unseat Nick Van Exel as the starting point guard, despite appearances to the contrary Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. And besides, Coach Del Harris doesn’t have time to consider such a move anyway. Not with being busy offering up glowing reports on Van Exel.

“He’s just done a great job,” Harris said. “You name it, he’s done it. He’s competed, he has a good attitude about everything. There’s not one thing I could criticize him about here.”

Van Exel has had only one 20-point game--the opening-night effort that included six three-point baskets--and hasn’t passed for more than seven assists in an outing. But his defensive work, along with that of backup Derek Fisher, and the stability both have shown as ballhandlers makes the play of the point guards a major reason the Lakers have broken to a 4-0 start.

TONIGHT

Los Angeles at Dallas

* 5:30

* Channel 9 (6:30)

Site--Reunion Arena.

Radio--KLAC (570).

Records--Lakers 4-0, Mavericks 3-2.

Record vs. Mavericks--(1996-97) 4-0.

Update--Kobe Bryant will miss the game because of a sprained right ankle, suffered late in Sunday’s rout of the Golden State Warriors. He stayed in Los Angeles for treatment Monday as the Lakers left for the three-game Texas trip and remains day to day, making it possible he could rejoin the team Thursday at San Antonio or Friday at Houston. Corie Blount, also forced out of the Warrior game because of a sprained right ankle, did not practice Monday, but traveled to Dallas. He is also day to day. A victory tonight will make this only the third Los Angeles Laker team to start 5-0, matching the 1980-81 and 1987-88 clubs.