Magic vs. Nuggets: Injuries Rule Out Ayón, Harkless, Harrington, Jones

When the Orlando Magic begin their 2012/13 season on Friday against the Denver Nuggets, they'll find themselves shorthanded at every position except point guard.

According to John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com, big man Gustavo Ayón (thumb) and rookie wings Maurice Harkless (sports hernia) and DeQuan Jones aren't expected to be available for Friday's season-opening tilt. They join big man Al Harrington (knee) among Orlando's wounded. Harrington, who underwent offseason knee surgery and suffered through a subsequent staph infection, has a doctor's visit scheduled for November 12th.

Denton says that starting two-guard Arron Afflalo will shift to small forward "plenty" of Friday's game, owing to the injuries to Harkless and Jones. Harkless missed the entire preseason in order to rehabilitate a sports hernia, and coach Jacque Vaughn wants to give the rookie at least four practices to settle himself before putting him on the floor in game situations.

Ayón sprained his left thumb in a preseason game nearly two weeks ago and the club will re-evaluate him soon, as Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Ayón is expected to back up Nikola Vučević at center. In Ayón's absence, starting power forward Glen Davis figures to log minutes at center in relief of Vučević.

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