Kobe Bryant out at least two weeks, Nash could return Friday

Feb 10, 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (let) talks with Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash (right) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Lakers projected starting back court have played exactly zero minute together this year, but both Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant are nearing the home stretch of their rehabs.

For Bryant, he still is two weeks away from returning, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. Bryant is scheduled to meet with team doctor Steve Lombardo on Tuesday, where a further diagnosis will be given. The two-week timetable is an optimistic one, with Bryant possibly out another month. However, according to Ding, Bryant’s visit won’t even include an MRI or x-ray, so his return is still a long way out.

Nash is much closer on his path to return, despite a minor setback today. In a cruel twist of fate for the already struggling Lakers, Nash tweaked his back during the most rigorous of tasks Monday: getting out of bed. Nash vows, however, that the tweak has no effect on the nerve irritation that has kept him out for all but six games this season. For the entirety of his time in LA, Nash has spent nearly as more time on the bench injured than he has on the court.

In total, Nash and Bryant have played just 48 games together through the season in a half. However, in very few of those were both players completely healthy, and none of them came this season.

The Lakers are falling fast, losing 8 of their last 10 and are 3-14 over their last 17 games.