Steve Nash passes Mark Jackson for third on all-time assists list

On Tuesday night, Steve Nash overcame Mark Jackson on the NBA’s all-time assist list, dishing a pass to Jodie Meeks for a dunk with 2 minutes 13 seconds left in the first half as the Lakers battled the Houston Rockets at Staples Center.

Nash entered the game with 10,330 career assists, just four behind Jackson’s 10,334. His pass to Meeks moved Nash to 10,335.

John Stockton tops the list at 15,806, and Jason Kidd is second with 12,091.

The Staples Center crowd gave Nash a standing ovation as his accomplishment was trumpeted by public-address announcer Lawrence Tanter.

Heading into the Lakers’ matchup against the Rockets, Nash has played in just 14 games this season while dealing with back, hamstring and knee issues -- and averaging 7.1 points and 5.8 assists a game.

It’s unclear if the Lakers will bring the 40-year-old point guard back next season, but he is under contract for $9.7 million. The team can look to stretch out his contract over three years, to increase their potential spending power in free agency.

If Nash is released, he and the Lakers have just four games remaining this season -- although he’s not likely to play in all four.

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Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus.