Van Exel Vents Amid Apologies Over Scuffle

Nick Van Exel rejoined the Lakers on Thursday, albeit temporarily, long enough to practice and trade apologies with Monty Williams of the San Antonio Spurs before tonight serving the last installment of a two-game suspension that left him emotionally wounded.

Van Exel did not directly criticize the NBA for its response to Monday’s scuffle in San Antonio that also involved teammate Kobe Bryant and Williams that spilled into the crowd. But having his agent file a grievance Wednesday left no doubt he disagreed with the penalty.

“I was hurt,” said Van Exel, who is allowed to attend practices and shootarounds but can not be in the building for games. “I was real hurt. I was more hurt than when I pushed the official or argued with Del [Harris]. I was hurt. I was real hurt.”

Especially because the incident has brought his past into the present. Double especially because he threw a shoulder into Williams’ chest for the NBA.

“Doing it for the good of the league,” Van Exel said. “I’m serious.”

Because the intent was to protect the prodigy, Bryant.

“Because Monty was giving Kobe some pretty good shots over there and I just didn’t think that was right,” he said. “But Monty wrote me and Kobe a letter and I got it today and he was just apologizing because he’s a strong Christian. I definitely accept the apology and I apologize to him.”

Issues with the league office are still to be resolved.

“Right now, I think if I’d think about it, it’d be a distraction to me and the team,” Van Exel said. “I’m definitely focusing on the playoffs and Utah coming up [Sunday, his first game back]. When something comes up, as far as an appeal or whatever, then I’ll think about it. But right now, we’ve got to win a championship.”

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For the record: Utah’s magic number to clinch homecourt advantage in the event of a second-round playoffs series against the Lakers is one.

TONIGHT’S GAME

vs. Dallas

* 7:30 * Fox Sports West

Site--Great Western Forum.

Radio--KLAC (570), KWKW (1330).

Records--Lakers 59-21, Mavericks 20-61.

Record vs. Mavericks--3-0.

Update--Shaquille O’Neal jammed his right thumb Thursday at practice, prompting a good deal of swelling on the knuckle at the base of the hand. But he will probably play tonight as the Lakers try to reach the 60-victory mark for the first time since 1989-90, the last season under Pat Riley. They have won three in a row, including a 111-95 decision against the same Mavericks on Tuesday, and nine of 10.

Tickets--Sold out.