Nash, Blake, Farmar practice with Lakers

Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar practiced with the Lakers Thursday, creating a flood of players at a position that had been severely lacking.

None of the three will play Friday against Charlotte, and next Tuesday at Minnesota is the earliest they might appear.

Nash hasn't been in a game since Nov. 10 because of nerve damage in his back but said Thursday he had "extremely high hopes" of playing next week.

Blake hasn't played since Dec. 10 after sustaining a torn ligament in his right elbow and Farmar has missed 24 of the Lakers' last 28 games because of two hamstring injuries.