Steve Nash Out With Leg Nerve Irritation Again

He may not want to retire, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult for Steve Nash to simply stay on the court. For the second game in a row, leg and back pain forced Nash off the floor (the future Hall of Famer could only manage 17 unremarkable minutes against the Utah Jazz Tuesday night, before sitting out the second half.) Per the LA Times:

Nash said he felt his symptoms flare up while shooting before Tuesday’s game but tried to play through them. He said the nerve damage in his back produces a tight sensation in his hamstring.

“I didn’t think I was [sound enough] to play but we had so few guys,” said Nash, who was held out in the second half as a precaution. “I think it’s a minor setback.”

Nash said he would probably sit out the Lakers’ game against Oklahoma City on Thursday before trying to return after the All-Star break.

It’s almost painful to remember that Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak once jokingly asked Nash if he was going to make the executive look bad for giving him a third year on his contract.

“Some days it sucks,” Nash admitted earlier in the day at the Lakers’ shoot-around. “But other days, you feel great and you have a good session or a good game and it’s all worth it.”

Nash wasn’t ready to call it quits earlier in the day at the shoot-around.

“Basically, I’ve worked out twice a day for 10 months just so I can try to get back on the floor,” he said. “One, I love the game and want to be a part of this team, and two, it’s my job.”