Lakers point guard Steve Nash, who has missed the last eight games with a strained hamstring is expressing optimism about a return to action Sunday in Los Angeles' postseason opener against the San Antonio Spurs.
An MRI revealed that Nash has "several preexisting issues related to his hip and back, which are causing nerve irritation and contributing to his hamstring pain and weakness." On Tuesday, Nash said he received two epidural injections in his lower back and also said that "if the epidurals kick in, I have a good shot to play."
The Lakers have three days off before their series starts, and Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak is hopeful Nash can come back. "He felt a lot better [Wednesday]. He had a limited workout, which he really hasn't been able to do. We're hoping that [Thursday] morning he feels better and can increase the workout a little bit."
This season has been one filled with injuries for the 39-year-old Nash. He missed 24 games early in the year with a fractured leg, also. "It's been tough," Nash said. "I've had a lot of sleepless nights this season, let alone the last 2½ weeks. You do all this extra training in the summer and to break my leg and miss seven weeks and to be out again is painful for me, for sure."
Nash has not handled the ball as much as he used to when he played for the Dallas Mavericks or during his back-to-back MVP seasons with the Phoenix Suns. With Kobe Bryant out, however, if Nash comes back he may become a more integral part of the Laker offense with Mike D'Antoni as head coach.
He will have to start running full-speed first, however, which he admitted he hasn't done yet since hurting his hamstring. "I haven't been able to run yet. I can jog and go three-quarter speed. I can't sprint. You got to be able to run to play in an NBA game. If the drugs work, I can be running by two or three days. It depends on the drugs."
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