Steve Nash out for season with back issues

The Los Angeles Lakers have ruled Steve Nash out for the entire 2014-2015 season because of "recurring nerve damage in his back," reports Kevin Ding of Bleacher Report. Nash is on the final year of a three-year contract he signed to join the Lakers. This report has been confirmed by Lakers spokesman John Black, per Sam Amick of USA TODAY.

Nash has played through a degenerative back condition through his career, but it's gotten worse since he broke his leg at the start of the 2012-2013 season after bumping knees with Damian Lillard. He's aggravated nerve issues in his back repeatedly since then, struggling to stay on the court.

The surefire Hall of Famer played two games during the preseason, asking out after the first quarter in what may be his final game played. He then aggravated his back issues while carrying his bags during training camp, and has been unable to play since.

The Lakers have released an official statement on Nash's season-ending nerve issues: