Their Noses No Longer Bent Out of Shape

Dallas Coach Don Nelson, back from prostate cancer surgery after 21 games, returned to a standing ovation from Maverick fans and a big hug from the opposing center.

Nelson waved to a crowd dotted with fans wearing clown noses, and stuck a piece of red foam on his nose.

Shaquille O’Neal came in from behind and embraced Nelson, then plucked off the clown nose and put it over his own.

“Welcome back,” O’Neal told him. “How are you doing? I’m glad you’re back.”

They hugged again, and O’Neal returned to his layup line.

The theme at Reunion Arena was clown noses, a response to O’Neal’s calling Nelson a clown after a game here Dec. 22. Nelson’s Hack-a-Shaq tactics had angered O’Neal.

Both appeared to be over the public sniping.

*

Guard Ron Harper’s knee examination was delayed until today because Harper was unable to fly Monday.

Harper’s wallet was stolen recently and he was unable to immediately replace his driver’s license because government offices were closed on Presidents Day. Therefore, Harper could not board a commercial flight to Los Angeles. Laker team flights are chartered.

Harper will be examined by Laker physician Steve Lombardo.

If Harper’s injury is deemed serious, General Manager Mitch Kupchak will have greater motivation to deal for a guard by Thursday’s trade deadline.

“Does that mean anything will get done?” Kupchak said Tuesday. “Not necessarily.”

*

When Coach Phil Jackson hands out books to his players, he makes them as personal as possible.

For instance, Mike Penberthy, who is deeply religious, got “The Last Temptation of Christ.”

Slava Medvedenko, the Ukrainian, is only now learning English. His book? “Oh, the Places You’ll Go,” by Dr. Seuss.

*

The Lakers outrebounded the Mavericks, 55-32. . . . Steve Nash’s 31 points were a career high. . . . Penberthy had three three-pointers, all in a three-minute span early in the second quarter.

TONIGHT

at San Antonio

5 PST, Channel 9

* Site--Alamodome.

* Radio--KLAC (570)

* Records--Lakers 34-18, Spurs 35-17.

* Record vs. Spurs--1-1.

* Update--The Spurs had won four in a row, then lost, 102-98, in Milwaukee. With injuries to Sean Elliott (shoulder) and Malik Rose (hip), they’ve won with a smaller lineup, using Avery Johnson, Derek Anderson, Terry Porter and Antonio Davis more. The offense continues to revolve around Tim Duncan (21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds), David Robinson (14.0 points, 8.6 rebounds) and Anderson (14.8 points). Rose has done a passable defensive job against Shaquille O’Neal.