Steve Nash, Jordan Hill return to practice -- Hill ‘out’ for Spurs series

Steve Nash returned to practice on Friday, as did long-injured forward/center Jordan Hill.

Before the Lakers change Nash’s status for Sunday’s playoff opener in San Antonio against the Spurs, the team will wait to see how his body responds after his first practice in weeks.

Nash has been considered “doubtful” since his last appearance against the Sacramento Kings on March 30. He injured his hamstring and hip on March 28 in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and couldn’t get through two minutes against the Kings.

Hill hasn’t played since Jan. 6 after suffering a hip injury that required surgery on Jan. 23. A Lakers spokesman said that Hill has not been cleared for full contact and will not be available for the upcoming series against the San Antonio Spurs.

On Tuesday, Nash received an epidural injection to help alleviate nerve irritation related to his hip and back.

Nash missed the team’s final eight regular season games. The veteran guard missed 32 games this season with a leg injury in addition to his current hip and hamstring ailments.

Hill’s time frame after returning to basketball activities was originally set by the Lakers to three or four weeks.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.