Suns G Nash out for Tuesday's game

Dec 30, 2008 - 8:08 PM MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Ticker) -- Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash has been ruled out for Tuesday's game at Memphis.

The two-time league MVP left Monday's contest against the Oklahoma City Thunder after his recurring back spasms flared up late in the first quarter.

It's anticiapted that Nash will return to the lineup for Friday's home game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

"I'm not sure when (the spasms) started," Nash said after Monday's game. "I felt OK, but it started to hit me between plays and I noticed it was strange feeling. Sometimes you can warm up and start to go away, or it can start to grab and get progressively worse."

Nash, who has been extremely durable in Phoenix over the years despite back trouble, had to leave a November 20 meeting with the Los Angeles Lakers in the fourth quarter with the same ailment.

The veteran point guard, who turns 35 in February, is averaging 14.8 points and 8.3 assists this season.