Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash re-injured his left leg on Sunday against the Chicago Bulls. Despite the Lakers appearing destined for the NBA draft lottery, Kobe Bryant is adamant about returning to play this season.
Nash exited the game on Sunday as a precaution after experiencing nerve irritation in his left leg, according to ESPN. The irritation flared up when Bulls guard Kirk Hinrich inadvertently made contact with Nash's left leg in the third quarter of Los Angeles' 92-86 loss.
"I just took a knee to the spot where I broke my leg," Nash said after the game, via ESPN. "Ever since I did that I've had a lot of nerve issues there and it just really flared up on me. I don't think it's going to be a long-term thing at all. Hopefully it's something that can just settle down this week, hopefully by Tuesday."
The 40-year-old veteran has played in only nine games this season because of nerve issues stemming from fracturing his left leg last year. Despite his struggles with injuries, the two-time league MVP has said he doesn't plan to retire.
Nash's contract expires after next season.
Bryant, meanwhile, doesn't intend to let a losing record keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
"My plan hasn't changed," Bryant said on Sunday during a Nike promotional event, according to ESPN. "I'm just going about it every single day just trying to get better. That's my job. My job is to get my butt back out there on the court when I'm healthy enough to play and that hasn't changed."
The perennial All-Star fractured the lateral tibial plateau in his left knee on Dec. 17 against the Memphis Grizzlies. Although his initial recovery time was expected to be six weeks, the bone still hasn't healed well enough to allow him to participate in full-contact activities at practice.
Bryant's knee is scheduled to be reevaluated after the All-Star break.
