Fox Opts to Join Wife in New York

Rick Fox, whose wife, Vanessa Williams, is due at any time to give birth to their baby girl, conceded he has been distracted. He left the team Sunday night to join her in New York, where doctors plan to induce labor today.

A team spokesman said Sunday night that the Lakers hope Fox will be available for Tuesday’s Game 4.

“All I can say is, my family comes first,” Fox said after Game 3. “I have to go with whatever is good for my wife and baby. You can’t control it.

“My focus has been split for a couple of days. I’m sure it’s affected me. But I know now my wife and daughter are the most important things. It’s funny, but I never thought I would feel like this, but I do.”

Fox played only five minutes in Game 3 and missed all three of his shots, and said he had dearly hoped for a Laker sweep, which would’ve made his departure moot.

“I knew there was a chance that I might miss [Game 4],” Fox said, “but I never thought it would come to this.”

Before Game 3, Coach Phil Jackson said he fully backed Fox’s desire to be with his wife during the birth of their first child. “You just have to do what’s important for his personal life--that takes precedent over your professional life,” Jackson said. “Our energies will go toward him.”

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Glen Rice, who played well in Games 1 and 2, said he just wasn’t making his shots when he went five for 13 in Game 3.

“I had good shots,” Rice said. “I was able to get into the lane a little bit, the ball just didn’t go in. You’ve just got to remain confident.

“I’m sure next game I can get the same shots and hopefully they’ll go in.”

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

LAKERS’ BIG 3

O’NEAL

*--*

Sun. Series 21 Points 30.0 17 Rebounds 17.7 3 Assists 3.3

*--*

BRYANT

*--*

Sun. Series 35 Points 30.0 3 Rebounds 4.7 2 Assists 2.7

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RICE

*--*

Sun. Series 13 Points 16.3 2 Rebounds 4.0 2 Assists 3.0

*--*

(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX / INFOGRAPHIC)

KINGS’ BIG 3

DIVAC

*--*

Sun. Series 15 Points 13.0 12 Rebounds 7.7 1 Assists 4.3

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WILLIAMS

*--*

Sun. Series 10 Points 13.0 2 Rebounds 1.3 5 Assists 3.0

*--*

WEBBER

*--*

Sun. Series 29 Points 26.3 14 Rebounds 10.3 8 Assists 5.0

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