Jordan Farmar “probably” will start upon return

ATLANTA — Whenever he returns from a strained left hamstring that has sidelined him for five games, Jordan Farmar will “probably” start, said Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni.

Farmar plans to receive an ultrasound Wednesday when the Lakers return from a four-game trip that still includes stops tonight against the Atlanta Hawks and Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Farmar said on Friday he hasn’t felt any pain in his hamstring within the last week. Barring no setbacks, he won’t participate in any practices until after his reevaluation.

Still, Farmar increased his workload following morning shootaround on Monday by taking part in shooting drills. Before, Farmar confined himself to cardio exercises, biking and stationary shooting.

The Lakers have sorely missed Farmar, who had averaged a steady 9.2 points and 4.4 assists in 18.9 minutes through 18 games. The Lakers haven’t fielded any true point guards for the past two games. Steve Blake is expected to sit out for at least five more weeks because of a torn ligament in his right elbow. Steve Nash is currently in Vancouver with his personal trainer Rick Celebrini rehabbing nerve issues in his back, an injury that has sidelined him for the past 15 games.

D’Antoni said he hasn’t heard from Nash, joking he doesn’t have the international calling plan on his phone. But no Skype or e-mail?

“I guess I could if I knew what it was,” D’Antoni joked.

Whenever Farmar returns, he would likely slide in at point guard, while Kobe Bryant shifts to his more natural position at shooting guard. That could leave either Jodie Meeks or Wesley Johnson out of the rotation.

“Yeah, actually I was thinking about bringing him off the bench,” D’Antoni joked about Bryant. “I’m just kidding.”

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Follow L.A. Daily News Lakers beat writer Mark Medina on Twitter. E-mail him at mark.medina@dailynews.com