In what used to be the Lakers’ bloated position has suddenly become uncomfortably thin.

Lakers guard Steve Blake will miss tonight’s game against the San Antonio Spurs because of a lower abdominal strain. For the past five games, starting point guard Steve Nash has remained sidelined because of a fracture in his left leg.

That leaves second-year point guard Darius Morris and nine-year veteran Chris Duhon fighting for a starting spot against San Antonio’s Tony Parker. Morris has climbed ahead of Duhon in the rotation, averaging 6.6 points in 17.6 minutes per game. Meanwhile, Duhon has made only three appearances spanning a total of 20 minutes.

Blake suffered the injury early in the Lakers’ 103-90 win Sunday over the Sacramento Kings, though he indicated afterwards he had played through the pain beforehand. Nonetheless, it forced Blake out of Monday’s practice. Instead, Kobe Bryant took Blake along with him in his helicoptor to Orange County so Blake could receive an ultrasound.

Only in L.A.