Nash Returns To Spark Suns Past Clippers

Two-time MVP Steve Nash had 13 points and 12 assists in his return, and Shawn Marion scored 31 points in the Phoenix Suns' 115-90 rout of the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Nash had missed four games since inflammation in his right shoulder sidelined him for the second half of a victory at Denver on Feb. 5.

He looked the same as always in his first game back, driving the lane and dishing off assists to his teammates, and mixing it up by pulling up and hitting jumpers.

Nash had a big first quarter, with eight points and seven assists, to help the Suns jump out to a 38-26 lead. They stayed comfortably in front the rest of the way.

On a play in the first quarter that drew a collective "Ah-h-h" from the pro-Clippers crowd, Nash made a no-look pass off the dribble to set up a dunk by Amare Stoudemire charging down the lane.

Marion also had nine rebounds, and Stoudemire had 22 points and nine rebounds.

The slumping Clippers, who lost their fourth in a row, were led by Corey Maggette's 19 points and seven rebounds. Elton Brand, back after sitting out two games because of back spasms, had 17 points and five rebounds.

The Clippers were missing swing man Cuttino Mobley (left groin strain) and center Chris Kaman (flu-like symptoms).

Phoenix forward Boris Diaw sat out his third consecutive game with back spasms.