LAKERS REPORT / NOTES : Van Exel’s Knee Needs a Break

The tenuous situation with Nick Van Exel and his sore left knee, a concern for the Lakers since it forced him out during training camp, emerged Tuesday for the first time during the regular season, albeit briefly.

Van Exel, saying the joint was stiff, asked out with 3:34 gone in the first quarter, about five or six minutes before Coach Del Harris usually replaces him with Derek Fisher. But Van Exel returned with 3:16 left in the period and went on to play 37 minutes in the 100-87 victory over the Vancouver Grizzlies, second on the Lakers behind 44 by Eddie Jones.

Said Van Exel: “I really don’t even want to talk.”

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Mario Bennett, left in Los Angeles when the Lakers went to Vancouver on Monday afternoon, was fined an undisclosed amount by the team because he did not have proper documentation to enter Canada even though he had been urged to get a passport since the start of the season.

“It’s very careless,” Harris said. “I’m sure he’ll be fined the game [salary]. He certainly should be. . . . It’s not professional.”

Added Shaquille O’Neal, predicting Bennett will not hear the end of this from teammates for some time: “Twenty-seven years old, and he still doesn’t have a passport. Idiot. I--D--I--U--T.”

Shooting: Field goals, 40.9%; free throws, 45.8%

Three-point goals: 4-15 (Mack 3-6, Mayberry 1-5, Edwards 0-1, Robinson 0-1, Chilcutt 0-2). Team Rebounds: 14. Blocked shots: 9 (Chilcutt 3, Abdur-Rahim 2, Reeves 2, Lynch 2). Turnovers: 22 (Mayberry 4, Abdur-Rahim 3, Thorpe 3, Lynch 3, Chilcutt 3, Edwards 3, Reeves, Mack, Robinson). Steals: 8 (Edwards 3, Mayberry 2, Abdur-Rahim, Lynch, Chilcutt).

Lakers: 21 17 28 34--100

Vancouver: 21 26 16 24-- 87

A--15,837 (19,193). T--2:11. O--Hugh Evans, Luis Grillo, Rondey Mott.

TONIGHT

Milwaukee

* 7:30

* Fox Sports West

Site--Great Western Forum.

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

Records--Lakers 25-8, Bucks 15-17.

Record vs. Bucks (1996-97)--2--0.

Update--An examination with a foot and ankle specialist confirmed that Corie Blount has nothing worse than a sprained right ankle. But the reserve forward, already out the last two games, will still sit out at least tonight’s game and Friday against the Clippers.