The Associated Press

An upbeat Phil Jackson rejoined the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, two days after undergoing a heart procedure, and he will coach in Game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs.

"I'm feeling good, I feel like a new man, actually," Jackson told reporters before the Lakers flew to San Antonio for tonight's game at SBC Center. The Western Conference best-of-7 semifinal series is tied 2-2.

"We're back in the hunt in the playoffs with a team that's rejuvenated, and I've got a new lease on life," Jackson said. "The biggest thing is moving forward from here. You have the energy, the resolve, to move on."

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.

"I could have come back yesterday," he said. "I had an allergic reaction to antibiotics."

CAVALIERS: Cleveland asked the 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.

• Rick Fox underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left foot.

SIXERS: 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 3-to-4 weeks, meaning he could return only if the 76ers reach the NBA Finals. The best-of-7 Eastern Conference semifinal is 2-2 with Game 5 Thursday night in Detroit.

• Police interviewed Sixers star Allen Iverson about a shooting that left one of his friends wounded outside a nightclub last month.

CELTICS: Forward Antoine Walker avoided punishment by the NBA for confronting a fan during the team's Game 3 loss to New Jersey.