Updated 12:14 PM EDT, Thu, Mar 28, 2024

LA Lakers News: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash Unlikely to Return This Season, Says Mike D'Antoni

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The Los Angeles Lakers will likely play out the remainder of the 2013-14 NBA season without their two superstars as reports indicate that both Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are unlikely to return this season.

Lakers head coach Mike D'Antoni told the LA Times that Bryant has yet to be given medical clearance to return from a knee injury, while Nash will remain on the sidelines indefinitely due to nerve irritation in his back.

Bryant, who has only played in six games this season in which he averaged 13.8 points to go along with 6.3 assists and 4.3 rebounds, has been sidelined by a fractured knee he sustained during their Dec. 17 game against the Memphis Grizzlies.

The 35-year-old superstar made it clear that he has no plans to sit out the remainder of the season.

But when D'Antoni was asked whether or not it is still reasonable to reactivate Bryant in their remaining games, the 62-year-old coach sounded like he was ready to play out the rest of the season without the All-Star guard.

"Not really," D'Antoni said when asked if he sees advantages in activating Bryant for their remaining games. "That's not on me. That's something that they've got to figure out."

D'Antoni also doubts Nash's status this season.

The former Coach of the Year admitted that he sees no reason to play Nash right now, considering the Lakers are on pace to miss the playoffs for the first time since the 2004-05 season.

D'Antoni said that playing Nash in their final 23 games this season will take away playing time from the young players the Lakers are trying to develop for their future.

"We've talked about it. He's not completely healthy. We have 23 games left. We're not going to make the playoffs. So what's his objective in taking minutes away from the young guys that we're trying to develop?" D'Antoni said.

With Nash's uncertain status this season, the Lakers are expected to strongly consider parting ways with the 40-year-old point guard during this offseason.

A release from the Lakers could lead to Nash's retirement, but the two-time Most Valuable Player has made it clear that he wants to continue playing next season.

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