Orlando will be without starting point guard Jameer Nelson against the Hawks Monday, in a matchup of two of the heavyweights in the Southeast Division. The Magic will have second-leading scorer Vince Carter in the starting lineup, though. Carter suffered a strained right hip Saturday night when he took a hard fall.
Nelson sprained his left ankle Friday in a win over New Jersey and missed the team’s win over Charlotte Saturday. Coach Stan Van Gundy said he hopes Nelson will be able to return when the Magic play Utah Wednesday.
Nelson is the team’s third-leading scorer and leads the team in assists with 5.5 per game. Chris Duhon will replace Nelson in the starting lineup, with Jason Williams serving as his backup.
