Steve Nash back injury: Out two weeks with irritated nerve root

Steve Nash will miss a minimum of two weeks after being diagnosed with an irritated nerve root, reports Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Nash will undergo epidural procedures, just as he did during the 2013 NBA Playoffs prior to missing the final two games of the Lakers' series against the San Antonio Spurs.

Nash was pulled from the second half of the Lakers loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, unable to play through the back pain he was experiencing.

Steve Blake and Jodie Meeks are expected to start in the Lakers' backcourt.

Nash will try to come back healthy from the injury and has not considered retirement, as he has previously mentioned. If he is unable to return, however, the Lakers, Nash and an appointed league doctor can make the determination on whether Nash is medically unfit to play.

Eric Pincus of the Los Angeles Times goes into further detail on the circumstances regarding that possibility, but if Nash is forced into retirement because of injury, the Lakers could see the final $9.7 million of his contract wiped from team salary figures. Nash would still be compensated, however.

Updates as they come.

More from Silver Screen and Roll:

• Silver Screen & Roundtable: What does Steve Nash have left?
• Steve Nash's body is betraying him
• Lakers Tweetbag: Steve Nash's back issue sounds serious
• Lakers have another poor showing against Minnesota
• Player of the Week: Steve Blake