Steve Nash Passes Mark Jackson In Career Assists Before Suffering Setback

Apr 8, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Steve Nash (10) acknowledges the crowd after passing Mark Jackson (not pictured) to move into third on the all-time NBA assist list in the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

A special moment embraced in the Houston Rockets 145-130 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers Tuesday night when Steve Nash passed Mark Jackson for no. 3 on the all-time assist list, with 10,335.

Coming into the night, Nash needed just 5 assists to move ahead of the current Golden State Warriors coach, and recorded it in the 2nd quarter, when dishing a pass to Jodie Meeks on a fast break for a dunk.

It was just the 15th game Nash has played all season, and quite possibly his last as it was reported he suffered a torn hamstring.

Both Nash and Lakers head coach Mike D’Antoni didn’t comment on the future of the 8-time All-Star, as the focus was on the moment and the remainder of the season.

“Since I had a pretty good setback today, I probably won’t play again [this season],” Nash said after the game. “But if I get a good recovery over the next week, I’d love to play again. But again, a big goal for me was to not go into the summer injured, and the fact that I had a setback today is kind of frustrating. But hopefully it’s something that I can work through quickly here, and if I work through quick enough, I’d love to play again. But it’s probably doubtful.”

When asked if he thought Tuesday night marked Nash’s last game in an NBA jersey, D’Antoni responded, “I don’t think he’s there yet at all.”

Nash has averaged 7.1 points, 5.8 assists, and shot 38 percent from the field in 15 games this season.