Steve Nash will play for Lakers against Washington on Friday

Eight days after being declared out for the season, Steve Nash is expected to play for the Lakers.

With their point guard ranks depleted by injury, the Lakers will turn to the veteran to provide depth behind starter Kendall Marshall on Friday night against the Washington Wizards.

Nash has been limited to 10 games this season by persistent pain in his back, last playing against Utah on Feb. 11. Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni said on March 13 that Nash would not play the rest of the season because it didn’t make sense for him to come back and push his body with so few games left.

But then point guard Jordan Farmar went down with a strained right groin in practice Monday, opening the door for Nash’s return.

Nash has averaged 7.6 points and 4.7 assists this season. He has one more season and $9.7 million left on his contract but could be waived via the stretch provision by Sept. 1, spreading out his salary over three seasons.