The Los Angeles Lakers are unlikely to see guards Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant together again on the court this season. Lakers coach Mike D'Antoni doesn't think Nash will return this season and admitted he doesn't see an advantage in having Bryant return.
Nash has been hampered by nerve issues stemming from breaking his leg last season. He played in six games before being sidelined indefinitely to rehab his injury. When Nash returned on Feb. 4, he played in just four more games before re-injuring his leg on Feb. 9 against Chicago.
Now, with the season winding down and the Lakers appearing destined for the draft lottery, D'Antoni doesn't think the 40-year-old will be back any time soon.
"I doubt it," D'Antoni said on Monday when asked if Nash would play again this season, according to ESPN. "I don't think so. What's the end game? We've talked about it. He's not completely healthy. We have 23 games left. We're not going to make the playoffs. So what's his objective into taking minutes away from the young guys that we're trying to develop? That's kind of the theme that we're talking about."
While D'Antoni was less definitive when asked about Bryant returning, the coach did concede he didn't see a clear advantage to having Bryant come back this season.
"Not really," D'Antoni said, via the L.A. Times. "That's not on me (though). That's something that (the medical staff have) got to figure out."
D'Antoni added: "The doctors haven't cleared Kobe so it's a non-issue right now. The thing is, does he get back and play some games to get his rhythm back for next year or just wait? So I don't know."
The Lakers (20-39) visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday.
