Nash Hurt, but Suns Prevail

Steve Nash missed the decisive run in the Phoenix Suns’ 11th consecutive victory, but what he did see left him impressed with teammates Boris Diaw and Leandro Barbosa.

Diaw scored 14 of his 20 points in the second half and added 12 rebounds; Barbosa scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter; and the Suns overcame Nash’s injury in a 101-88 victory over the New Orleans Hornets on Monday night.

Barbosa made two three-point field goals in the fourth quarter, when the Suns outscored the Hornets, 30-9.

“LB hit those two huge threes and Boris was a rebounding machine,” Nash said. “I think they also got kind of cold from the floor and we kind of hit our stride at the same time.”

Nash sprained his right ankle and left the game with 2:54 remaining in the third quarter and the Suns down by four points. He did not return.

“I just stepped on someone’s foot and it just rolled over,” Nash said.

Without him, the Suns erased an eight-point deficit with a 15-2 run to open the fourth quarter.

“I think it’s day to day,” Nash said. “I’m not very experienced at ankle sprains. I think we’ll know a lot more tomorrow.”

David West led New Orleans with 22 points.