March 17, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (10) and point guard Steve Blake (5) celebrate during the 113-102 victory against the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
After weathering the storm of what Steve Nash called one of the most frustrating, ‘if not the most frustrating’ season of his career, the two-time MVP is ‘very optimist’ that he’ll return for game 1 of the Lakers’ first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs.
Mentally, I’m chomping at the bit. Physically, I’m getting there,” Nash said. “I’m very optimistic that I’ll play on Sunday. I just don’t want to over-promise and get ahead of myself.”
Nash missed the last eight games of the regular season with a hamstring injury, although he recently received an epidural injection to alleviate the pain.
This most recent injury will take it’s place on the laundry list of mishaps for Nash this season. Alongside the broken leg the 37-year-old suffered in the Lakers’ second game and coping ‘several preexisting injuries to his hip and back’.
Should Nash return he will likely share the backcourt with Steve Blake, who has been lights out since Kobe Bryant went down with an ACL tear.
Having both Nash and Blake on the floor at the same time will prove crucial for any chance the Lakers have of pulling off an upset, as both players are superb shooters and will be vital in the team’s effort to space the floor for the Lakers’ big men.