Steve Nash will miss entire season with nerve issue

Steve Nash's season could be over before it ever starts. The Los Angeles Lakers are expected to rule out the 40-year-old point guard for the entire season with a nerve issue, according to Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. The Lakers have confirmed the report.

Nash suffered a bizarre injury a week ago when he reportedly hurt his back carrying bags. Nash missed the Lakers' final two preseason games because of it, and coach Byron Scott had been reluctant to update his status for the season opener. This is Nash's final under contract with Los Angeles. He announced before this season that it would likely be his last season in the NBA.

Nash has only played 65 of a possible 164 games with the Lakers since being acquired in a trade with the Phoenix Suns prior to the 2012-13 season. He appeared in just 15 games for Los Angeles last season because of nerve issues in his leg.

Nash arrived in Los Angeles with sky high expectations alongside Dwight Howard, but his Lakers tenure has been nothing short of a disaster. It got off to an ominous start when Nash suffered a non-displaced fracture in his left leg during his second ever game with the Lakers after colliding with Damian Lillard. Nash would return seven weeks later, but he was sidelined again when an injury to his right hip also caused nerve damage in his right hamstring.

At his peak, Nash was one of the most dynamic players in the league. His career received a second wind when he left Dallas for Phoenix before the 2004-05 season and teamed with Mike D'Antoni, Shawn Marion and Amar'e Stoudemire. Nash was named the league's MVP in 2005 and 2006. He's an eight-time All-Star and a three-time All-NBA First Team selection.

Full press release on Nash including quotes from him and Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak. pic.twitter.com/FsuMq1JWis

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 24, 2014