EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Coach Phil Jackson rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, two days after undergoing a heart procedure, and will travel to San Antonio for Game 5 of their playoff series against the Spurs.

“He was here early this morning, met with the coaches, went over videotape,” team spokesman John Black said. “He’s in a great mood. Considering what he went through, he’s in remarkable shape.”

Black said Jackson would speak with reporters following practice – before the flight to San Antonio for Tuesday night’s game in the Western Conference semifinal series.

Jackson underwent an angioplasty Saturday to open his left anterior artery, which was over 90 percent blocked.

He was released from Centinela Hospital Medical Center on Sunday morning but watched the Lakers’ 99-95 victory over the Spurs on television at his home.

It was the first postseason game Jackson has missed in his 13-year career as an NBA head coach. His teams have won a record 25 straight playoff series and nine championships, equaling the record of former Boston coach Red Auerbach.

Assistant Jim Cleamons filled in for Jackson on Sunday. By winning, the three-time defending NBA champion Lakers tied the Spurs 2-2 in the best-of-seven series.

Jackson had experienced tightness and pain in his chest for about a week. He underwent some testing Friday but coached the team to a 110-95 victory that night.

Testing was completed Saturday when it was decided he needed the angioplasty.

Jackson missed three games because of a kidney stone that was removed on Feb. 24. Before that, he had coached 1,249 regular-season and playoff games without missing any in nearly 13 seasons.

He guided the Chicago Bulls to six championships during the 1990s and the Lakers to titles in his three seasons so far as their coach.

Mavs suddenly looking tired against the Kings

DALLAS – The Dallas Mavericks have lost their scoring touch and appear tired, a sign that all the running and all of the games might be taking a toll.

The Mavericks are feeling the lingering effects of an extended first round as much as playing the first four games of their Western Conference series against Sacramento over six days.

The semifinal series is tied at 2-all after the Kings won 99-83 on Sunday night. That game began 22 hours after the Mavericks took the series lead with a 141-137 double-overtime victory.

“The Kings did a great job with their backs against the wall,” Dallas guard Steve Nash said. “We’ve had a tough schedule lately, going seven in the first round. They had more energy than us.”Game 5 is Tuesday night in Dallas. The Mavs’ 83 points Sunday matched their record first-half scoring total in a 132-110 win in Game 2.

Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley and Nash – who combined for 103 points in Game 2 and 116 in Game 3 – shot just 16-for-55 for 38 points.

“It was frustrating out there for all of us,” said Nowitzki, held to 11 points before being ejected with two minutes left after two technical fouls, the second for kicking a pile of towels. “We were a step slower defensively. Offensively, we had no legs and every jumper looked short.”

The Mavericks returned home Monday, an off day and a much-needed chance to rest. They will go right back to Sacramento on Wednesday, their fourth trip to the West Coast this postseason.

“Going back and forth to the West Coast, and then jumping right into the Sac series is always a daunting task,” Nash said.

Dallas was pushed to seven games in the first round against Portland, requiring two back-and-forth trips, while Sacramento needed just five games to get past Utah. The Kings got five days off between series; the Mavericks got one.

The Kings proved they could win without scoring leader Chris Webber, who tore cartilage in his left knee during Game 2 on Thursday night. Then again, Sacramento never doubted that.

“We have always felt confident, even losing Chris,” Kings coach Rick Adelman said. “We felt that we have the type of people that can step up and win. Our team does not lack confidence. We understand we lost our best player, we also understand if everybody steps up we have a chance to beat anybody.”

Cavs ask Knicks to speak with Van Gundy

CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Cavaliers asked the New York Knicks for permission to talk to Jeff Van Gundy about being their next coach, a source said Monday.

Van Gundy, who abruptly resigned last season as coach of the Knicks and remains under contract with the club until July 31, is at the top of the Cavs’ wish list, the NBA source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Van Gundy, who is working as a TV analyst for TNT, declined to comment on the report while in Boston for the Celtics game against the New Jersey Nets.

The Cavaliers finished 17-65 this season, tying Denver for the league’s worst record. Cleveland fired John Lucas following a 8-34 start, and the club finished the season with assistant Keith Smart as interim coach. Van Gundy compiled a 248-172 record and made six playoff appearances with the Knicks before resigning just 19 games into the 2001-02 season.

Hill to miss rest of series

PHILADELPHIA – Forward Tyrone Hill will miss the rest of Philadelphia’s second-round series against Detroit because of a torn right calf muscle.

Hill will be out three-to-four weeks, meaning he could return only if the 76ers reach the NBA Finals. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference semifinal is 2-2, with Game 5 on Wednesday night in Detroit.

Hill was injured with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter of Game 4 on Sunday night. He had two points in 15 minutes, and averaged 4.3 points and 3.5 rebounds in the series.

Hill had nine points and six rebounds in 22 minutes in the Sixers’ Game 3 victory.