MRI shows torn labrum for Nelson
ORLANDO, Fla. -- All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson could miss the rest of the season for the Orlando Magic because of a torn labrum in his right shoulder.
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An MRI exam revealed the injury Tuesday, the team announced.
Nelson will decide over the next week whether he will have surgery or attempt rehabilitation. If surgery is the option, his season is likely over. If he passes on the surgery, he'll still most likely be out at least several weeks.
Nelson left the Magic's 105-95 loss to the Mavericks on Monday night in the third quarter after he was fouled by Dallas center Erick Dampier and hit the floor. Nelson came up bent over and clutching his right shoulder before heading to the locker room in pain.
The injury leaves the Southeast division-leading Magic (37-11) with a major hole.
Orlando does not have a third point guard behind backup Anthony Johnson. The Magic will likely have to sign another point guard, or covert shooting guards J.J. Reddick and Courtney Lee. Magic general manager Otis Smith had a news conference scheduled for later Tuesday.
"It's a big blow for us," center Dwight Howard said after Monday night's loss. "I'm trying not to even think about it because he had been playing so well for us. It's a sad day for us all."
Nelson was having a career season, averaging 16.7 points and 5.4 assists per game. He was selected to his first All-Star Game and was also slated to compete in the skills challenge on Feb. 14 in Phoenix.
The Magic host the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Nelson missed five games earlier this season with a right hip injury, and Orlando managed to go 4-1 behind Johnson.
A longer stretch against significantly better competition will provide a tougher test.
"We've done it before so we'll do whatever we have to do," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said.
If the Magic can take any comfort in the loss, it's that they have time to regroup before the playoffs.
Orlando has a stranglehold on the Southeast division, beginning Tuesday with a nine-game lead over Atlanta. The Magic were three games behind Boston for the NBA's best record.
Still, Orlando's hopes for locking up home-court advantage in the East took a major hit.
"We don't change expectations at all," Lee said. "We can't say that we're losing because Jameer is out. We all have to step it up so that there's no drop off."
posted by Mike from Illinois @ 1:43 PM
3 Comments:
At 1:59 PM,
Mike from Illinois said…
Like Dwight Howard said... it's a sad day for us all.
At 5:15 PM,
Anonymous said…
I feel sorry for him, so close before the allstar game, not to mention the playoffs..
(I wonder why every report says Dampier fouled him, to me it clearly looks like he tripped on the ball he stole but couldn't control..?)
At 5:45 PM,
Big Figure said…
I feel SOOO BADDD for jameer. The guy was doing everything the right way,being a professional and looking his doubter's in the face and showing them he was worth the extention he got. His participation in the all-star game skills challenege was gonna validate everything for me that now we have two players competing in events on all-star weekend. A big guy and a little guy in the skills challenge and dunk contest,if somehow we could get rashard in the three point comp that would be sick! Has one team ever swept all three events?. I was already seeing an all magic victory for jameer and dwight. Then obviously the three of them would have been playing in the big game also. Just sucks so bad for jameer and it's going to take some time to get that shoulder right.
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