Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar back at Lakers practice

The Lakers are suddenly awash in point guards.

Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar practiced with the team Thursday, giving them a flood of players in a position that had been severely lacking.

None of them were expected to play Friday against Charlotte, and next Tuesday would be the earliest any of them would appear (at Minnesota).

Nash hasn’t played since Nov. 10 because of persistent back pain and says he will take a cautious approach. He is averaging 6.7 points and 4.8 assists in only six games.

“A month or so ago I was here practicing three days in a row and felt really good. And then two days later, for whatever reason, the nerve was pretty fired up again,� said Nash, who rehabilitated with his personal trainer in Vancouver most of January. “So I’m going to take it day by day and the fact that I got through one day of practice is a positive.�

Blake hasn’t played since Dec. 10 because of a torn ligament in his right elbow. He is averaging 9.8 points and 7.7 assists.

“I still have pain in the back of my elbow when I shoot but I’m able to deal with it,� Blake said.

Farmar hasn’t been in a game since Dec. 31 because of a strained hamstring. He is averaging 8.7 points and 4.7 assists.

“We’ve got some guys that are eager to get back and they looked pretty good [Thursday] in practice, so we’ll see,� Lakers Coach Mike D’Antoni said. “It’s not too far off.�

Pau Gasol did not practice Thursday because of a sore groin and was listed as probable for Friday’s game. He did an individual workout Thursday at the team’s training facility.

ALSO:

Pacers coach: Injuries create ‘impossible’ situation for Lakers

Kobe Bryant says he’s ‘down’ about missing three more weeks

Pau Gasol dealing with groin injury, unsure of availability Friday