In their first game without Jameer Nelson since he tore the labrum in his right shoulder, the Magic will look to their other two All-Stars - Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis - to carry them Wednesday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

Led by Howard, Lewis and Nelson, Orlando (36-11) has emerged as an NBA title contender, opening up a nine-game lead in the Southeast Division.

The team's chances of winning a championship, however, may have been dealt a serious blow by Nelson's injury.

Nelson left the Magic's 105-95 loss to Dallas on Monday in the third quarter after being fouled by Erick Dampier and hitting the floor. He came up bent over and clutching his right shoulder before heading to the locker room in pain.

An MRI exam Tuesday revealed the injury, and Nelson will decide over the next week whether to have surgery or attempt rehabilitation. If surgery is the choice, his season is likely over. If he decides on rehab, he'll likely miss several weeks, but his effectiveness will probably be compromised.

"At some point in time, he's going to have to have surgery. That's a given. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it," Magic general manager Otis Smith said.

Nelson has been instrumental to Orlando's success, averaging a career-best 16.7 points and getting selected to his first All-Star game. The Magic are 15-1 when he scores at least 18 points.

Orlando went 4-1 earlier this season when Nelson missed time with a right hip injury, but three of those wins came over Washington, Indiana and Minnesota.

"It's a big blow for us," Howard said. "I'm trying not to even think about it because he had been playing so well for us. It's a sad day for us all."

If Howard can continue his dominant play, the Magic shouldn't miss Nelson against the Clippers (10-38), owners of the worst record in the Western Conference.

Howard had 35 points and 11 rebounds Monday after finishing with 29 and 14 in Sunday's 113-90 win over Toronto. The three-time All-Star had 23 points and 22 rebounds in the Magic's 95-88 win at Los Angeles on Dec. 8, while Lewis added 18 points and seven boards.

The Magic, whose three-game winning streak was snapped Monday, have won four straight over the Clippers since a 116-91 loss Dec. 3, 2006.

Los Angeles can certainly relate to Orlando's setback, as it's enduring a season filled with injuries. Zach Randolph (knee), Marcus Camby (ankle), Baron Davis (tailbone) and Chris Kaman (foot) have missed time this season.

"Once everybody gets back healthy, we're going to be OK," said Randolph, who returned Monday after missing 19 games and scored a team-high 21 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a 119-95 loss to Miami.

The defeat was the Clippers' sixth straight and 20th in 22 games.

Davis, playing in his fourth game after missing the previous 13, finished with nine points on 3-for-11 shooting. The point guard, averaging 9.5 points on 29.5 percent shooting in his last four games, had 27 points and seven assists in the December defeat to Orlando.

The Clippers have lost the first three games on their season-high seven-game trip, and have dropped 10 straight on the road since a 117-109 double-overtime win over Indiana on Dec. 19.

They haven't lost 11 consecutive road games since dropping 19 in a row Dec. 29, 1999-Feb. 24, 2000.