Point guard Steve Nash has been battling all injuries all season long, including nerve root irritation in his leg that he fractured last season and back injuries.
Nash was in the starting lineup against the Utah Jazz tonight and had two points and two assists at the half. According to Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters, the 40-year-old will be spending the second half on the bench:
Welp, that sure didn’t last long. Per Lakers, Steve Nash sitting out the rest of the game with nerve root irritation…
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) February 12, 2014
Nash came out of Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bulls after bumping into Kirk Hinrich and came out of the game. He returned a week ago against the Minnesota Timberwolves and was in his fourth game since then. Nash sat out against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but was forced to suit up in case the Lakers needed players after a string of injuries left the team with just five healthy bodies. Tonight’s game was the 10th game for the point guard and he is averaging 8.2 points and five assists per game.
Kendall Marshall will start the second half for the Lakers and share the point guard duties with Steve Blake. The Lakers are also without Jordan Farmar until after the All-Star break, leaving them with Marshall and Blake as the primary ball handlers the next two games. Down to just nine healthy players, the Lakers are looking forward to the returns of Farmar, Nick Young and Pau Gasol.
UPDATE:
Nash was kept out of the game by head coach Mike D’Antoni and the issue does not appear to be serious.
Mike D’Antoni says Nash’s hamstring “was a little fired up.” Thinks Nash is “day to day” (via @TWCSportsNet)
— Lakers Nation (@LakersNation) February 12, 2014
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VIDEO: Steve Blake Is “Pretty Concerned” About Steve Nash