:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2430869/154541857.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers are off to a terrible start to their season at 0-2, and to make matters worse their point guard Steve Nash hurt his left shin Wednesday night in their 116-106 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden. But Nash, who suffered a lower left leg contusion, will be evaluated on Thursday, according to Mike Trudell of NBA.com.
Nash told reporters after the game Wednesday night in Portland that he was "hopeful" he could play Friday night when the Lakers host the Los Angeles Clippers in a battle for Staples Center, per Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register. Nash suffered the injury when he banged legs with Damian Lillard of the Blazers late in the second quarter. Nash limped off and walked to the locker room under his own power, but was ruled well enough to start the third quarter.
Just 76 seconds into the third quarter, Nash came out of the game again for good, as his left shin didn't hold up. Nash was clearly in pain and headed back to the locker room with trainer Gary Vitti.
Nash had two points and four assists in 16 minutes against the Blazers.
“I’ve had contusions before but not necessarily in this spot. It’s kind of frustrating,” said Nash, per Mark Medina of the LA Daily News.
Point guards have torched the Lakers so far this season in the early going. Darren Collison and Rodrigue Beaubois combined for 28 points and nine assists on Tuesday night for the Dallas Mavericks, and rookie Damian Lillard had 23 points and 11 assists on Wednesday for Portland. Lillard joined Oscar Robertson and Isiah Thomas as the only players to have at least 20 points and 10 assists in their NBA debut.