Nash says he’s fine, decision to sit Wednesday’s game was D’Antoni’s

The “DNP-CD” designation that followed Steve Nash in the box score needed one more “D” than the historical meaning.

Then it could have meant, “Did Not Play-Coach D’Antoni’s Decision.”

Nash is on a program to sit out at least one game of back-to-back situations for the Lakers, who have 19 such sets this season. He wasn’t angry about skipping Wednesday’s game against Golden State after playing Tuesday against the Clippers.

The NBA’s oldest point guard was more matter of fact about it.

“It wasn’t my decision,” he said Friday. “I was ready to play but coach wants to be conservative for the long haul and he kind of convinced me to stick with his plan. So I’m happy to work through this [plan] early in the season.”

Nash, who turns 40 in February, isn’t alone in sitting out select games. Miami guard Dwyane Wade was held out Wednesday against Philadelphia after playing in the Heat’s opener the previous night.

Nash will play Friday against San Antonio, a team that sometimes rests veterans Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

“Those guys always seem to take two weeks off during the season somehow, which is great,” Nash said. “I think it’s smart. They have the luxury to do it because 1) they usually are in a really nice position in the standings and 2) in their system, guys come in, they actually speed up the game sometimes when those [regular] guys aren’t playing. They have a lot of success without their best players.”

Nash has been bothered by a sore ankle, back and neck at various times since training camp began in September.

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