Los Angeles Lakers point guard Steve Nash will not return against the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night after tweaking his back.

The 39-year-old had hoped to practise on Monday in order to make his comeback from nerve root irritation, but a minor tweak forced him off the court.

The Lakers have revealed that he aims to return to practice on Thursday, with the hope of playing against the Charlotte Bobcats on Friday, ESPN reports.

Nash, who will turn 40 next month, has spent the past two weeks working with his personal trainer in Vancouver to overcome his on-going back problems.