ORLANDO, Fla. � Orlando Magic players say Jameer Nelson will play in the NBA finals, even though the All-Star point guard and his coach remain publicly pessimistic.

Nelson participated in a full team practice Tuesday for the first time since tearing the labrum in his right shoulder Feb. 2. While Nelson and coach Stan Van Gundy still said it won�t be determined until game day, players said Nelson looked �terrific� and expect the point guard to be on the court against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Backup point guard Anthony Johnson said, �I expect to see him out there at some point in the series.�
Nelson had what was then called season-ending surgery Feb. 19. Nelson�s rehabilitation was supposed to take at least another two months. Game 1 of the finals is Thursday night in Los Angeles.