Steve Nash could miss four weeks with leg injury

Lakers guard Steve Nash could miss up to four weeks because of a small fracture in his left leg, according to a person familiar with the situation.

Nash was injured last Wednesday when he was kneed in the left leg by a Portland player while trying to run down court. The Lakers initially thought the injury was a bruised shin, but an MRI exam a few days later revealed a non-displaced fracture in the head of Nash’s fibula.

The Lakers said Saturday that Nash would miss at least one week and would be evaluated again at that time. Nash could be sidelined for up to four weeks.

“You obviously hope he’s back as soon as possible, but the one thing you don’t want to do, you don’t want to compromise his long-term health for him coming back quicker than he should,” Coach Mike Brown said.

The Lakers are 0-3 for the first time since 1978. Nash had seven points and four assists in the season opener and two points and four assists when he left Wednesday’s game early in the third quarter.

Steve Blake is expected to start in Nash’s place Sunday against Detroit. Second-year point guard Darius Morris will be Blake’s primary backup against the Pistons.

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