:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3125835/201210125_kdl_sh2_155.0.jpg)
The highly-anticipated first battle between Steve Nash and his former team might not be happening this week as the Los Angeles Lakers point guard is unsure of his status for Friday's game against the Phoenix Suns.
Nash has missed the past five games as he recovers from a small fracture in his left leg but he did say that he would "love to play" in his first game against the Suns since he inked a six-year, $63 million contract with the franchise back in 2004.
According to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times, Lakers doctors estimated Nash would be out at least one more week after they re-examined him last Friday. The optimistic end of that prognosis would mean that he has a chance to play when the Suns come into town but the Lakers will undoubtedly play it safe with their 38-year-old point guard.
And with new head coach Mike D'Antoni still rehabbing from the knee surgery he underwent at the start of November, it's possible Nash and the man who helped make him a two-time MVP could make their returns at the same time.