Steve Nash left the floor in the first half of the Nov. 1 game against the Portland Trail Blazers with what appeared to be a knee injury, but wound up being the point guard's shin.

UPDATE: Saturday, December 22 at 8:56 p.m. ET by Richard Langford

There is no more reason to speculate. Steve Nash is going to make his return Saturday. The Lakers tweeted out the news.

It’s official, @stevenash is back in the starting lineup at PG for the Lakers. #GoLakers twitter.com/Lakers/status/… — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 23, 2012

UPDATE: Saturday, December 22 at 5:51 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to USA Today's Sam Amick, "...Nash will play tonight against Golden State, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports."

This is huge news, as Nash knows Mike D'Antoni's offense better than anyone. He's been out since Oct. 31, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts in his first game back.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, December 21 at 4:49 p.m. ET by Ryan Rudnansky

Nash said there's a "low chance" he'll play on Saturday against the Golden State Warriors, according to Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Daily News.

Nash reportedly said he's still in a lot of pain, but he's getting better.

--- End of Update ---

UPDATE: Thursday, December 20 at 3:58 p.m. ET by Matt Fitzgerald

Mike Trudell of Lakers.com has the latest on Nash's status from the man himself, and it points to a probable Christmas Day return:

Nash on when he'll return to game action: "I think Christmas is probably the most realistic." Saturday at GSW just a possibility. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 20, 2012

The Kamenetzky Brothers got head coach Mike D'Antoni's take on Nash's impending reappearance in the lineup:

D'Antoni on Nash's return: "I hope it's a turning point, because we're not very good right now." BK — Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) December 20, 2012

Once Nash returns to the fold, it will be decided just how much his impact in D'Antoni's offense will affect the team moving forward. LA is counting on big things from the two-time NBA MVP, and in the offense where those awards were accumulated, Nash must be the catalyst for a Lakers turnaround.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Tuesday, December 18 at 1:17 a.m. ET by Ian Hanford

USA Today's Sam Amick gave Lakers fans a hint of good news early Tuesday morning:

A person close to Steve Nash confirmed the point guard is hoping to return on Saturday at the Golden State Warriors after being out with a left leg injury since Oct. 31. Nash, who had a fracture in the left fibula and later suffered setbacks because of nagging nerve pain in the leg, practiced for the first time in Los Angeles on Monday and told reporters that he may play in the Lakers' Christmas Day game against the New York Knicks.

Nash has been out for over a month. His absence has made it difficult to truly gauge Mike D'Antoni's offense in Los Angeles, and Nash's presence will ideally turn things around.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Monday, Dec. 17 at 5:05 p.m. ET by Tim Keeney

Nash, who returned to practice today, is optimistically targeting a return to game action in about a week (via Lakers.com's Mike Trudell):

Steve Nash: "Hopefully I can play by Christmas." Said he's finally starting to get excited about progress. But certainly still sore. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 17, 2012

That would undoubtedly be the perfect present for Lakers fans.

---End of update---

UPDATE: Monday, December 17 at 4:30 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

Steve Nash is taking more small steps towards returning to the court.

Lakers.com's Mike Trudell reported the following on the point guard's recovery:

Nash and Gasol went through the whole practice, but there was not a 5-on-5 scrimmage. Just drills/shell stuff. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 17, 2012

Los Angeles has not been getting adequate play at the point guard position, and Nash's return will likely be a massive boost for the Lakers.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Monday, December 17 at 10:43 a.m. ET

Great news for Lakers fans as Steve Nash hopes to resume practicing this week, according to Lakers.com's Mike Trudell.

Steve Nash is not expected to join Gasol in Monday's practice, but Nash does hope to practice this week. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 17, 2012

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Tuesday, December 11 at 12:53 a.m. ET by Ryan Rudnansky

It looks like nerve irritation in Steve Nash's lower left leg is the main cause of his delayed return to the hardwood, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo! Sports.

Steve Nash's delayed return to the Los Angeles Lakers has more to do with nerve irritation in his lower left leg than the fracture he suffered, sources told Yahoo! Sports. Nash appeared set to return from a non-displaced fractured left fibula about three to four weeks ago. His fibula has healed well, but what caused the setback was a nerve irritation that surfaced in the leg during his rehabilitation, sources said. The nerve caused Nash pain any time he put pressure on it. The irritation is steadily improving for Nash and he is expected to play before the end of the month, sources said.

--- End of Update ---

UPDATE: Sunday, December 9 at 8:17 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell, Nash will not play on the Lakers' coming trip after some speculation that he might:

Mike D'Antoni said Nash is not likely to play on the coming trip. He said it was "possible" at shootaround, but was just being hopeful. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 10, 2012

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Sunday, December 9 at 1:57 p.m. ET

Encouraging news for Lakers fans as the team has yet to rule out Steve Nash playing on the team's upcoming road trip, according to Lakers.com's Mike Trudell.

Mike D'Antoni said it's "possible" that Steve Nash plays on the coming 4-game road trip. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) December 9, 2012

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, November 28 at 9:26 a.m. ET

Lakers fans and fantasy owners shouldn't expect Steve Nash to return to action this week. Los Angeles Times' Mike Bresnahan has the latest:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash will be sidelined until at least next week, still unable to run without pain in his lower left leg, he said Tuesday. Nash took part in some agility drills Monday and tried to do some jogging but couldn't complete it symptom-free. He will probably undergo an MRI exam to get a fresh update on the small fracture in his lower left leg. Nash said he would not play Friday or Sunday, adding he'd be out 'about another week' in a brief interview.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Monday, Nov. 26 at 4:55 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

Steve Nash is continuing to make progress as he tries to return from his shin injury.

ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported the the point guard "participated in some on-court activities during practice Monday," and quoted head coach Mike D'Antoni saying, "I really don't (know when Nash will return). It's getting better every day. I know we keep saying that, but it is. Just when he's able to withstand some up-and-down, he'll play."

While this is not exactly the good news Lakers fans are waiting for, it is certainly a positive sign that Nash has not suffered any serious setbacks.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 23 at 4:37 p.m. ET by Tyler Conway

More disconcerting news continues to come out in regards to Nash's shin injury. According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne , the All-Star guard said on Friday he will likely sit out Tuesday against the Indiana Pacers due to pain in the fractured shin:

Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash said Friday that he hasn't been able to jog yet or do any on-court work without feeling pain his fractured left leg and doubted that he'd be ready to play when the Lakers return home to play Indiana on Tuesday. Nash had already been ruled out of the Lakers road games in Memphis on Friday night and Dallas on Saturday.

While the Lakers certainly want Nash to return as soon as possible, Nash having pain should not come as much of a shock. Leg injuries are oftentimes the hardest for basketball players to return from and Nash isn't exactly the most spry guy in the NBA.

Look for Los Angeles to continue proceeding with caution and for Nash not to return until 100 percent.

---End of Update---





UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 21 at 12:00 p.m. ET by Adam Wells

The news about Nash's shin isn't getting any better. Head coach Mike D'Antoni spoke to reporters prior to Tuesday's game and said that Nash would be out "at least these next four games," which included last night's victory over the Nets.(h/t Mike Trudell of Lakers.com)

As expected, @stevenash is going to be out at least these next 4 games (Nets, Kings, Grizz, Mavs), D'Antoni clarified. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 21, 2012

While this sounds bad, it is not entirely unexpected. Nash was always thought to be out at least through this week. After the game against Dallas on Saturday, the Lakers will play the Pacers on Tuesday.

---END OF UPDATE---

UPDATE: Saturday, Nov. 17 at 12:32 a.m. ET by Mike Shiekman

Steve Nash's return to the Lakers will be held off for at least a week, according to New York Times reporter Howard Beck:

Steve Nash will be out "at least another week," per statement from Lakers. Will be reexamined next weekend. — Howard Beck (@HowardBeckNYT) November 17, 2012

The Nash-Mike D'Antoni reunion will not be coming to fruition until after Thanksgiving, which will be a transition period for the Lakers' new offense.

Until they get their ace distributor back in the lineup, NBA fans won't see the Lakers' potential under their new coach.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 5:49 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to Inside the Lakers writer Mark Medina, Nash is going to miss at least a little while longer:

Nash said he “doubts” he could heal his fractured left leg in time to play Friday against his former team in the Suns before estimating it could take between one or two weeks to fully heal.

With his former coach Mike D'Antoni now running the show in Los Angeles, you can only imagine how eager Nash is to return to the court. After all, he did win two NBA Most Valuable Player awards running D'Antoni's "seven seconds or less" offense.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 3:16 p.m. ET by Tyler Conway

The Los Angeles Lakers may have Steve Nash's ideal coach in place now, but that doesn't mean the point guard's return from injury is imminent. According to the Orange County Register's Janis Carr , Nash said it could be another week or two before he returns to action:

Steve Nash said it could another week or two before he's back on the court — janis carr (@janiscarr) November 13, 2012

With Steve Blake manning the point guard spot now, it goes without saying that the sooner, the better for the Lakers.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov. 7 at 3:35 p.m. ET by Tim Keeney

Nash isn't quite ready to return to game action, but he is still traveling with the team, and after Saturday, we'll know more about his expected recovery.

From Mark Medina at InsideSoCal.com:

As he’s nursing a minor fracture in his left leg, Lakers guard Steve Nash traveled with the team for its game tonight at Utah. The Lakers still plan to reassess Nash’s recovery timetable on Saturday, but Coach Mike Brown said he traveled so he’d have close access to the team’s training staff. “They’re going to evaluate him daily,” Brown said. “His prognosis could change at any time.”

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Monday, November 5 at 6:33 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

According to CBS Sports' Ken Berger, Nash shouldn't miss more than two weeks:

Latest info from Lakers' medical staff has Steve Nash missing about 7-10 days, according to a person briefed on the point guard's prognosis. — Ken Berger (@KBergCBS) November 5, 2012

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Sunday, November 4 at 8:58 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Just when things couldn't get any worse for the Lakers, more potential bad news surfaces. According to Los Angeles Times reporter Mike Bresnahan, Nash could miss up to a month:

Steve Nash could miss up to four weeks with the small fracture in his left leg, a Lakers source said. #BadLakerNews — Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) November 5, 2012

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Saturday, Nov. 3 at 4:47 p.m. ET by Richard Langford

Bad news on the Steve Nash injury front. He has a fractured fibula.

The Orange County Register's Kevin Ding tweeted out the news.

Nash diagnosed with small fracture of fibula. Out at least a week. — KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) November 3, 2012

This news could be much worse. A small fracture and missing a week doesn't sound too terrible. Now the 0-3 Lakers just need to hope that the healing adheres to that one-week timeline.

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 2 at 9:07 p.m. ET by Tyler Conway

As most expected, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash will sit out Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Clippers with a leg contusion, according to Mike Trudell:

Just confirmed: @stevenash (lower left leg contusion) will not play tonight against the Clippers. This was to be expected. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 3, 2012

With Nash out of the lineup, Steve Blake should get his first start of the season with Chris Duhon taking over the backup role.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Friday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET by Mike Hoag Jr.

Steve Nash missed Friday's shoot-around and remains a game-time decision heading into tonight's game against the L.A. Clippers, according to the official Twitter feed of the Lakers.

Mike Brown says that Steve Nash remains a game-time decision. He didn’t go through shoot around but hasn’t been ruled out. — Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) November 2, 2012

If Nash is unable to go, Steve Blake will likely start and be responsible for keeping track of the Clippers' dynamic starting point guard Chris Paul. Even if Nash is able to go, it might be best to bring him off the bench because of the challenge Paul presents.

---End of Update---

UPDATE: Thursday, Nov. 1 at 5:20 p.m. ET by Tim Keeney

The Lakers have officially listed Nash as doubtful for Friday's crosstown battle against the Los Angeles Clippers (via Mike Trudell of Lakers.com):

Lakers list @stevenash (lower leg contusion) as "doubtful" for Friday's game vs the Clippers. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 1, 2012

Look for Steve Blake to take over the starting point guard role against an athletic Clippers squad.

---End of Update---

Kevin Ding of the Orange County Register had the initial news:

Nash got tangled up with Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and howled in pain. He's headed to the locker room now. — KEVIN DING (@KevinDing) November 1, 2012

Nash attempted to play through the injury for a few minutes before finally leaving the floor. Lakers.com reporter Mike Trudell then reported that Nash was OK and that he would play in the second half.

But the positive situation and relief didn't last long. Nash left again just a few minutes into the third and will not return for the rest of the game, according to Trudell:

Steve Nash injury update: contusion of the lower left leg. He will not return tonight. — Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) November 1, 2012

There hasn't been any word on Nash following his second departure, but the Lakers obviously are taking precautions. The collision with Lillard could have caused some bruising, or it could be something a little more severe.

Nash had very little impact on the game prior, scoring two points, dishing four assists and committing two turnovers. He didn't perform well in Mike Brown's Princeton offense on Tuesday night either, scoring seven points against the Mavericks.

Whether he's producing right now or not, losing Nash for any period of time is a tough pill to swallow for Los Angeles. Steve Blake is not a starting PG in the league, Chris Duhon isn't even receiving minutes, and Darius Morris is extremely erratic and inexperienced.

Nash, for better or worse, is the end-all-be-all option for L.A. as floor general. He thrives with the ball in his hands, using his flawless instincts and crafty passing to move the ball around the floor, but Brown's offense hasn't allowed him those opportunities so far this season. Missing any length of time will only make that adjustment more difficult.

At 38 years old, minor injuries may not heal like they used to. This is why the Lakers shouldn't be so quick on the trigger when it comes to trading either Duhon or Blake. Depth is crucial, especially with an older team.

The severity of the injury is unknown, but this is something to keep an eye on.

Stay tuned for updates regarding Nash's condition.