The Orlando Magic might be without their marquee offseason acquisition for a little while as they try to crawl out of a hole they created by losing four straight games.
Vince Carter Day-To-Day With Mild Shoulder Separation
The Orlando Sentinel reported that Vince Carter was diagnosed with a mildly straight left shoulder after he ran into an Andray Blatche screen during the Magic's 104-97 loss to the Wizards Friday. He did not return to that game and also missed the Magic's win over the Atlanta Hawks Saturday.
Orlando Magic SG Vince Carter, who didn’t play in Saturday’s game, said he has a painful but mild separation in his left shoulder and he has no timetable on his return. He said there was no discussion of possible surgery with the team doctor Craig Mintzer.
“Day-to-day, I guess,” Carter said before the club faced the Atlanta Hawks. “It’s all the same to me: sprain, separation, pain. They’re all intertwined. It made for some uncomfortable sleep.”
Without Carter, the Magic demolished the Hawks 113-81 to snap their losing streak. J.J. Redick started in Carter's place and poured in 17 points in the win.
Now, there's talk of Carter returning not as a starter, but rather as a sixth man. As Tim Potvak of Fanhouse points out, the Magic are just 5-5 when their four all-stars -- Carter, Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard and Jameer Nelson -- all start. Coach Stan Van Gundy hinted that a lineup change might be coming once Carter recovers.
“It (a lineup switch) is something you may have to look at, what some of the other guys bring a little bit better in terms of balance, guys who don’t need plays called for them,” Van Gundy said. “Part of it is guys in their roles and how they play. Instead of four guys who see themselves as scorers, you would get three and a couple guys who do other things.”
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