Nash has eye on the prize as Suns eliminate Spurs

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-05-10 13:59

SAN ANTONIO - Playing with his right eye nearly swollen shut, Phoenix's Steve Nash helped lead his team to a series-clinching win over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday and booked a spot in the Western Conference final.

Nash has eye on the prize as Suns eliminate Spurs

Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash follows through after taking a shot against the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of Game 4 of their NBA Western Conference semi-final playoff series in San Antonio, Texas May 9, 2010. [Agencies]

Nash, who took an inadvertent Tim Duncan elbow to the eye during the third quarter, briefly went to the locker room to get stitches for a cut under his eyebrow and reappeared on the court to finish the game.

The Canadian went on to score 10 of his 20 points during the fourth quarter as the Suns, who had suffered season-ending defeats to the Spurs in their last four postseason meetings, eliminated San Antonio by taking the series 4-0.

"I was worried I wouldn't be able to stay out there but my team mates were great," Nash said. "I've lost to (the Spurs) a lot and we had a good opportunity. I wanted to give what I could for my team mates."

Amare Stoudemire scored a game-high 29 points for Phoenix, who now move on to the Western Conference Final where they will face either the Los Angeles Lakers or Utah Jazz.