Orlando Magic point guard Jameer Nelson hyperextended his surgically repaired left knee against the Detroit Pistons tonight and his return is questionable, reports Tania Ganguli of the Orlando Sentinel. Nelson and backcourt-mate Vince Carter left the game at the 1:36 mark of the first quarter to make way for Jason Williams and J.J. Redick, respectively. It appeared to be a normal, rotational substitution, but Nelson must have been in pain when he left. Ganguli reports that he "came down on the knee wrong" and that GM Otis Smith "doesn't expect Nelson to miss any games." He'll list him as day-to-day.
In his time on the floor, he shot 2-of-4 from the field for 5 points and dished 3 assists. Williams and Anthony Johnson, who hasn't played since garbage time last Friday against Sacramento, will run the point the rest of the way.
Nelson first injured his knee on November 16th against the Charlotte Bobcats, which kept him out of action for 14 games. Mysterious circumstances also surrounded that initial injury, as Nelson finished the game, only to wake up the following morning with pain and swelling. He had torn the meniscus in his left knee.
Orlando leads Detroit, 48-45, at halftime.