Steve Nash could return as soon as Friday?s home game with Atlanta if the spasms in his right shoulder subside.

But even if he?s out a little while, the Suns don?t figure to collapse in the way they did two seasons ago when Nash went down.

Nash, who woke up with the shoulder problem on Thursday, said he was sore Tuesday night.

He?ll take today off but ?if the spasms go down, there?s no reason I couldn?t do stuff again? as early as Thursday, when the Suns practice next.

?We hope (his return) will be Friday,? trainer Aaron Nelson said. ?If not, Sunday (vs. Chicago) and we?ll go day by day from there.?