Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar might be available Tuesday
Help has arrived for the Lakers, albeit a bit too late.
Point guards Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar could all be available on Tuesday night when the Lakers (16-31) visit the Minnesota Timberwolves (23-24).
“I think they’re all ready to go,” said Coach Mike D’Antoni after practice on Monday. “We’ll see how everybody wakes up, but there is the possibility that all three can play.”
Nash has played just six games this season with back issues. Blake has missed 26 games with an elbow injury. Farmar has made just 22 appearances, tearing his hamstring twice.
D’Antoni did note that if Nash played on Tuesday, he would be unlikely to play the following night when the Lakers visit the Cleveland Cavaliers (16-31).
One player that’s in for a change is temporary starter Kendall Marshall, who is averaging 33.3 minutes a game, starting 15 for the Lakers.
“He’s going to play,” said D’Antoni of Marshall. “It’s not going to be the same. He’s not going to get 35 minutes no matter what he does.”
The Lakers have also lost center/forward Pau Gasol for at least a week with a groin injury. D’Antoni wouldn’t commit to which player he’ll start in Gasol’s absence -- but it’ll be one of Jordan Hill, Robert Sacre and Chris Kaman.
At 13th place in the Western Conference, 10 1/2 games behind the Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers are unlikely to climb high enough by mid-April to make the postseason -- especially with Kobe Bryant still out another few weeks with a knee injury.
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Email Eric Pincus at eric.pincus@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.
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