Jameer Nelson Injury: Updates on Magic PG's Hand and Return

Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson suffered a hand injury in the Saturday, Jan. 11, game against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center.

John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com reported the news, noting that Nelson would not return:

That only makes the team's backcourt even thinner. Shooting guard Arron Afflalo was already out with ankle and foot ailments, per the Orlando Sentinel's Josh Robbins.

Afflalo's presence was clearly missed—the Nuggets raced out to a big lead and didn't look back, and nothing Nelson did could have really halted that momentum.

Nelson made four of nine field-goal attempts en route to 10 points, grabbed four rebounds and dished out seven assists before leaving Saturday's contest for good.

The 31-year-old is one of the few veterans on a young, promising—but struggling—Magic squad, which seems to be one or two more players away from being a viable competitor—even in the weak Eastern Conference.

With only one year remaining on his contract after this season, Nelson isn't likely to feature in Orlando's long-term plans, and his shooting percentage has dipped below 40 for the first time in his career over the past two years.