Steve Nash could return in one to two weeks

NEW YORK — After participating in running drills for the past two days, Lakers guard Steve Nash told this newspaper he believes he will heal his fractured left leg enough to return to the court in “a week or two.”

“I’m pretty optimistic now,” said Nash, following the Lakers’ 116-107 loss Friday to the New York Knicks. “I’m getting better every day.”

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said Nash still has to participate in a series of two-on-two and three-on-three drills before playing. Nash said he plans to take part in those drills by Monday or Tuesday.

Should his timetable hold up, Nash could miss between three to six more games.

“The nerve is doing pretty well within the fracture,” said Nash, who has already missed 23 games. “But it’s within the joint. That’s a tricky area to heal. That’s sore.”

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