National Basketball Association

Nelson out, Redick's injury 'problematic'

Published Mar. 29, 2011 1:08 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jameer Nelson is out for Orlando's game at New York, and coach Stan Van Gundy says J.J. Redick's lower abdominal strain is ''a little more problematic.''

Nelson sat out Monday with a sprained left knee, giving Gilbert Arenas his first start with the Magic. Orlando also was without backup forward Quentin Richardson (back spasms), but Van Gundy says both are expected back this week.

However, he says Redick's injury is ''not coming around the way we had hoped.'' The reserve guard thought he was progressing last week, but missed his ninth straight game Monday

''I know he's frustrated with it,'' Van Gundy said. ''It's not great where it is now, we've just got to see where it goes and hopefully we can get him back here pretty soon. Hopefully we'll know more at the end of the week.''

The Magic have eight games remaining after Monday. Redick has averaged 10.1 points in 59 games, including five starts.

''It would be very hard, I think, for him to miss 17 games and go into the playoffs not having played for basically the last 20 percent of the season and expect him to be real productive,'' Van Gundy said.