Steve Nash surfaces and meets with Lakers

Steve Nash briefly met with the team last week at Los Angeles International Airport before their flight to Chicago to play the Bulls on Christmas.

Scott had previously reached out to the 40-year-old point guard, who is out for the season with back problems, but to no avail.

“It was great to see him,� said Scott. “He still has to deal with the fact that his career might be over. I think that’s something he’s kind of wrestling with.�

During training camp the Lakers announced that Nash would sit out the third and final year of his contract because of recurring nerve damage in his back. The Lakers are still paying Nash his $9.7-million salary, but he’s been a stranger at the team’s practice facility.

“I still invited him to come around here for practice, to join and just be part of the team, part of the coaching staff,� Scott said. “When he feels he’s able to do that, in whatever time that might be, he’ll be welcome with open arms.�

Masked man?

Forward Ed Davis suffered a broken nose in the final minutes of the Lakers’ win over the Nuggets.

“I went to the bench, Jeremy Lin said it was crooked, then [trainer Gary] Vitti said it was crooked too, so I knew it was broken then,� Davis said.

On Wednesday, his nose was swathed in bandages after a visit to an ear, nose and throat specialist. Davis downplayed the injury.

“I’m going to try and practice with a mask tomorrow, then in the game on Friday, but if I miss a couple of shots, I’m going to take it off,� he said.

Forward Ryan Kelly also expects to play Friday, after sitting out all but three games with hamstring injuries. Kelly has played 25 minutes this season, scoring 11 points.

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Twitter: @EricPincus