Steve Nash (hamstring) is in the starting lineup to face the Spurs on Sunday. He's not expected to play heavy minutes in his first game back since March 30. It's probably a good idea to not play Nash big minutes since Tony Parker is going to turn him into a human turnstile. Steve Blake will get his fair share of time at point guard and the two should see time together, as well.

If Steve Nash (hamstring) does play in Sunday's Game 1 vs. the Spurs, he's not expected to play heavy minutes. "Obviously he's not going to play a lot of minutes, and whatever he can give us will be great," Mike D'Antoni said. That's not exactly great news for fantasy owners who purchased Nash as a lottery ticket if playing playoff fantasy basketball, and while he's definitely not 100 percent healthy, all signs are pointing to Nash playing on Sunday. Just remember, it's possible his injury flares up at any time like we saw on March 30 vs. Sacramento when he played just two minutes.

Steve Nash (hamstring) was at practice again on Saturday and is expected to play against the Spurs on Sunday. He received epidural shots this week to help him manage the pain, so Nash might not be back to 100 percent. The Lakers are entertaining the idea of starting Steve Blake at shooting guard in an effort to alleviate Nash. Tony Parker is going to be a tough cover for the Lakers and they will have to keep him in check to have success in the first round.

Steve Nash (hamstring) says he's "very optimistic" about playing in Game 1 of the Lakers' first-round series on Sunday. Nash practiced fully on Friday after receiving epidural shots to help alleviate the pain. Assuming the shots carry over through the weekend, he could be able to at least suit up, if there's no setbacks. The problem will come when he tries to run and sprint during a game and it remains to be seen how limited Nash and his minutes will be. How Nash's body responds at practice Saturday will go a long way to determining our faith in him.

Steve Nash (hamstring) practiced in full Friday. The epidural shots the 39-year-old Nash received were designed to alleviate pain, not cure his injuries. So far, so good. Nash appeared symptom-free while working in halfcourt sets, but the real test will come when he tries to sprint through a playoff game. It remains to be seen how many minutes he'll play in Sunday's Game 1 -- or if he even suits up.

Steve Nash has received two epidural injections for his ailing hip and hamstring injuries, and he expressed optimism that he'd be ready to play in Game 1 vs. the Spurs on Sunday. We knew Nash had one epidural, but now we know that he's had two. "If they kick in, I have a good chance to play," he said. Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak said Nash felt "a lot better" on Wednesday when he went through a limited workout, but the team will know more about Nash's availability when they see how his body responds to increased activity. Nash reiterated that he still can't sprint and said, "I can't just play yet, unfortunately." He faces a real challenge to be ready for the beginning of the playoffs.

Steve Nash (hamstring) said he hopes to play this weekend. The Lakers still have to make the playoffs, but there's good chance with either a win or a Utah loss tonight. Nash did some 1-on-1 today and is making progress, but not playing in a huge game on Wednesday doesn't some promising. Steve Blake should have a nice game tonight.

Steve Nash (hamstring) will not play in Wednesday's regular-season finale against the Rockets. If the Lakers beat the Rockets, they'll clinch the West's No. 7 seed. They'll try to do so with a backcourt of Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks. The Lakers are "hopeful" that Nash will return for a potential first-round playoff series, but that's far from a lock. He hasn't played since March 30.

Mike D'Antoni is "hoping" Steve Nash (hamstring) can return for Wednesday's regular season finale against the Rockets. Nash still isn't able to sprint, and that is pretty critical to playing basketball in the NBA. Regardless, we're likely to get updates on Nash daily, and it's too early to determine whether or not he'll return before the regular season ends.

Steve Nash (hamstring) is able to shoot and move around without difficulty, but he isn't yet able to sprint. Nash is in supreme condition, but even so he can't do much beyond rest his strained hamstring. Steve Blake continues to start at PG in his absence, while Pau Gasol has been racking up assists out of the high post.