PHOENIX - Steve Nash missed his third consecutive game on Sunday because of lingering soreness in his right shoulder. Joining Nash in street clothes for the game against the Chicago Bulls was fellow Phoenix Suns starter Boris Diaw, out with back spasms.

Injured Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash, of Canada, laughs with teammates during a time-out against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter of a basketball game Friday, Feb. 9, 2007, in Phoenix. The Hawks defeated the Suns, 120-111. [AP]

In all, Nash has missed 3 1/2 games because of inflammation that flared up in the shoulder. The Suns beat Denver when Nash sat out the second half, then won at Portland in overtime. However, the Nash-less Suns played their worst game of the season in a 120-111 home loss to Atlanta on Friday night.

The Suns have one more game before the All-Star break, Wednesday at Seattle. Nash might play, coach Mike D'Antoni said.

"I hope so," D'Antoni said before the Bulls game. "It's hard for me to say. I thought he'd play today."

Overall, Phoenix is 4-10 in games without Nash since he came to the Suns three seasons aago. This year, they are 2-2.

Diaw was obviously impaired in the loss at Atlanta.

"He shouldn't have played," D'Antoni said. "He's just got a little spasm there."

The Bulls were without forward P.J. Brown, also because of back spasms. Rookie Tyrus Thomas started in his place.