Nash out Monday after hurting ankle in practice

Steve Nash's status for Monday night's preseason game against Charlotte was still up in the air - until he landed on his gimpy right ankle on the last play of Sunday's scrimmage.

Ankle sprain sidelines Suns Nash for 1 game

Nash rolled the same ankle that he hurt during Wednesday's Suns game in Atlanta and kept him on the bench for Friday's loss to Denver in Syracuse, N.Y. He looked like he was moving well in the scrimmage before he landed wrong just seconds before coach Terry Porter called an end to more than three hours of film and court work.

An obviously frustrated Nash limped around the court for a few minutes before gingerly heading up the steps to the locker room. Now, the final week of the preseason will be about getting healthy instead of getting in sync with players like Amaré Stoudemire and Leandro Barbosa, who have missed most of the preseason for various reasons.

Stoudemire went through practice without calamity and will make his preseason debut Monday against the Bobcats. Boris Diaw was still running with the first team Sunday, although Porter said he hadn't decided whether to start Stoudemire at power forward.

The Suns had a two-hour practice in Syracuse on Thursday, trying to make sure Stoudemire and Barbosa were on the same page.

"I feel good, pretty much up to speed on the play. Still some gray area with small things, but other than that I feel good and my wind feels great," said Stoudemire, hampered by ankle and eye problems for several weeks.

Barbosa had 10 points in 15 minutes in his preseason debut Friday, but his three turnovers show that he's still trying to find a groove after being away for two weeks and missing all of camp.

"Raja (Bell) has been helping me a lot when we're (guarding each other) in five-on-five, telling me where I should be," Barbosa said. "I'm working hard to catch up, and I think I have time to do it. Every day is better."

Barbosa is spending a lot of time on the phone. His mother is hospitalized in Brazil and breathing with the help of a ventilator.

Porter knew he would have some tough decisions to make when he whittled down his playing rotation, but he didn't know finding court time for high-energy forward Louis Amundson might be one of them.

Amundson has impressed coaches with his hustle and rebounding efforts in camp and collected seven points and seven rebounds in 17 minutes before fouling out Friday against Denver.

Porter admitted that it might be tough to find time once Stoudemire is back in the lineup and he and Diaw dominate the minutes at power forward. "But there is no doubt he brings another dimension for us," Porter said. "He's so active when he's on the floor, and he's done a good job when he's gotten an opportunity."

The Suns also have to decide what to do with shooting guard Robert Hite, the lone nonroster invitee still in camp. Hite has impressed Porter and almost brought the Suns back in the fourth quarter of Friday's loss, scoring 12 points in nine minutes on 5-for-8 shooting. And just as Barbosa's absence gave Alando Tucker a chance to shine during the first week of preseason, Tucker's injury has given Hite an open door.

"I tried to give us a boost when I came in, and I've definitely gotten some opportunities here, so I have to take advantage," Hite said. "I'm feeling a little better about my chances, but you never know in this league. All you can do is show what you have."

BONUS SHOTS: Porter said that Tucker, who sat out both games of the road trip with hamstring problems, remains questionable for Monday night's game. Tucker was able to get through practice Sunday but is still experiencing stiffness and soreness. ... Porter said Shaquille O'Neal, who sat out the game in Atlanta and played just 12 minutes early in Syracuse, will probably sit out one of the three final preseason games to rest for the regular season. The Suns play in Los Angeles against the Clippers on Tuesday, a likely spot for him to sit. Phoenix closes the preseason at home against Oklahoma City. ... After coming off the bench the last two games, Grant Hill was back with the first team in practice Sunday. Porter said he was still deciding whether to start Hill or Matt Barnes this week, and said competition for that job remains open.

Bobcats at Suns

What: NBA preseason game

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: US Airways Center

Radio: KTAR (620 AM)

TV: None