Here’s a report from Marc Spears from Yahoo! Sports.
Steve Nash is eyeing a return to the Los Angeles Lakers’ lineup Saturday against the Golden State Warriors if practice goes well this week, sources told Yahoo! Sports.
Nash, 38, had a light practice workload Monday. He has missed 23 games this season after suffering a fractured left fibula on Nov. 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Lakers might have three days’ worth of workouts in between Tuesday’s game against the Charlotte Bobcats and Saturday against the Warriors.
It was reported a couple of days ago that Nash would try to return “next week.” Mike Trudell also reported earlier yesterday that Nash was hoping to play by Christmas.
Steve Nash: “Hopefully I can play by Christmas.” Said he’s finally starting to get excited about progress. But certainly still sore.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 17, 2012
The next step for Nash is a contact practice/scrimmage. His goal is to continue to practice/get treatment all week & hopes it responds well.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 17, 2012
As mentioned earlier in Spears’ report, Nash, who has been out since he got hurt in the second game of the season, would be returning against the Golden State Warriors on the road. And if it’s not Saturday, he’ll certainly try to make the Christmas game, which would be at Staples Center against the surprising New York Knicks.
But with Spears’ report, it seems like Nash will try to make it by Saturday. If there are no more setbacks, whether he returns Saturday or Christmas, this would certainly be excellent news for the Lakers. The Lakers, while they have had good performances from time to time with Chris Duhon and Darius Morris, have been needing someone to run their offense and help to take care of the basketball. Plus, with Nash returning, that also lessens the load of Kobe Bryant, who is a good facilitator but certainly gets worn down having all these responsibilities on offense.
In the meantime, the Lakers face the Charlotte Bobcats at home tonight.