Jameer Nelson hasn’t played since being injured in a game against the Dallas Mavericks on  February 2, yet all the buzz surrounding his team the past few days is whether he’ll be playing in the NBA Finals.

Nelson spent most of his time practicing with the second unit earlier this week was expected to run with the first unit on Wednesday during practice.

If Nelson plays in the NBA Finals, it’s most likely coming off the bench to throw an extra wrinkle at the Lakers. If he does return he won’t return as a starter instead he’ll provide the team with a spark off the bench.

However, if this series were to stretch to seven games his role and minutes could increase.

“I’m pretty sure he’s going to be given the benefit of the doubt. I expect him to be out there sometime during the series,” Anthony Johnson told the media on Tuesday. “You got to play the guys who give you the best chance to win.”

Nelson, however, refused to commit to the idea of suiting up again this season.

“In terms of playing time, that’s up to Coach. I don’t know. I’m honestly working out. I’m happy to be where I’m at right now. I’m definitely not expecting to play.

“My rhythm, my timing’s off a little bit. But for the most part, it’s just basketball. You go out and play your hardest and give it your all. The thing is, I’m a competitor. I want to play. Right now, I’m doing everything my shoulder and my team allows me to do.”

Orlando’s head coach, Stan Van Gundy, told the media scrum after Tuesday’s workout that Nelson “looked good” and that he’d make a decision after Wednesday’s practice in Los Angeles.

“He was OK,” Van Gundy told the media while doing his trademark shoulder shrug. “We’ll have to wait and see.”

Well, Wednesday’s practice came and went and there’s still no word on whether he will play in the Finals. This could mean Orlando isn’t sure of his return or they could be trying to keep Los Angeles on their toes.

Los Angeles isn’t buying into the fact Nelson won’t suit up and reports indicate that they are preparing for Nelson playing at some point this series.

Any why not? In the last between these two teams back in January at Staples Center, Nelson was the Magic’s high scorer with 28 points while shooting 9-of-18 from the field and dishing out eight assists.

In the other game between these two teams this season, a game played in early December, Nelson was again the high scorer in Orlando, scoring an impressive 27 points  while dishing out five assists on 11-for-16 shooting.

So far this season Nelson is by far the most effective Magic player versus the Lakers and if he can contribute, even in minor minutes, that might be enough for his team to pull off one of the biggest upsets in recent history of the NBA Finals.