NBA notes: Magic’s Jameer Nelson out again

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Orlando point guard Jameer Nelson needs surgery again.

The all-star will have arthroscopic surgery today on torn cartilage in his left knee. He is expected to miss four to six weeks.

Nelson was injured in the fourth quarter Monday vs. Charlotte. But he finished the game on the court and showed no signs of injury.

"I feel pretty good," Nelson said after the game. "My energy level just physically wasn't there, but mentally . . . I think that's one of the parts of my game that adds toughness to this team."

This is the second straight season he has been sidelined. Nelson injured his right shoulder in February and had surgery.

Rashard Lewis missed the first 10 games of the season, suspended by the NBA for testing positive for an elevated testosterone level. Vince Carter and forwards Ryan Anderson, Mickael Pietrus and Brandon Bass have missed time with injuries, and backup center Marcin Gortat is out indefinitely (flu).

That leaves Jason Williams, who will turn 34 today, to start at point guard.

After taking a year off, Williams has returned to give Orlando a solid guard who brings energy off the bench. Williams helped Miami Heat the title in 2005-06 as a starter.

O'Neal, Varejao to miss second straight game

CLEVELAND -- Cleveland's Shaquille O'Neal and Anderson Varejao were inactive for last night's game against Golden State.

Varejao has a hip contusion. O'Neal is missing his second straight game with a strained shoulder. Both players are not expected to play tonight at Washington.

With both players inactive last night, the Cavaliers were forced to activate troubled guard Delonte West. West has been inactive for the past three games while dealing with personal issues.

Elsewhere

• Memphis officially has ended its relationship with Allen Iverson by waiving the 10-time all-star. The Grizzlies announced Monday they had mutually agreed to end a one-year contract with the former league MVP but did not waive Iverson (Hampton) until yesterday.

• Portland forward Travis Outlaw will have surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot and is out indefinitely. Outlaw (10.9 ppg) was hurt in Saturday's game vs. Charlotte.

• Golden State swingman Kelenna Azubuike will undergo surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee and miss the rest of the season. Azubuike, averaging 13.9 points and 4.6 rebounds, injured his knee last Saturday in Milwaukee.