The Los Angeles Lakers have 23 games left in the regular season and Kobe Bryant and Steve Nash are long shots to return at some point.

Bryant has not played since December due to a fracture in his knee while Nash has battled chronic back problems.

“The doctors haven't cleared Kobe so it's a non-issue right now,” Mike D'Antoni said. “The thing is, does he get back and play some games to get his rhythm back for next year or just wait? So I don't know.

Nash wants to return this season and possibly next, but there is uncertainty.

“I don't know what to tell you,” D'Antoni said. “What's the endgame? We've talked about it. He's not completely healthy. We have 23 games left. We're not going to make the playoffs. So what's his objective in taking minutes away from the young guys that we're trying to develop?

“Now, if Steve starts to feel better, then we'll see. It's always an ongoing process in talking to him, but it's not something that's on the horizon right now.”