Injured Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson, who addressed media members yesterday at STAPLES Center, is not expected to play in Game 1 and is unlikely to play in the NBA Finals, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
Nelson hadn’t played for the Magic since tearing the labrum in his right shooting shoulder on Feb. 2, but had been trying to come back early from his scheduled 6-month recovery schedule.
Nelson had been most effective for Orlando as a scorer, thanks to his 50.3 percent shooting percentage from the field, 45.3 percent from three and 88.7 percent from the line. His 5.4 assists per game also led the Magic in the regular season, and his 27.5 points per game against the Lakers were the key to Orlando’s season sweep.
Nelson explained on Wednesday afternoon that his shooting rhythm was, as expected, not what it had been during the season, and that if he played in the Finals it would be in a limited capacity. But apparently, he won’t be playing at all, but of course we won’t know for certain until the games have been played.
*****UPDATE 4:35 p.m. … Jameer Nelson WILL dress and probably play, so disregard this entire post.
