It was a roller coaster week for the Orlando Magic off the court, but on the court they were on a roll. After falling to Cleveland, then having no problem knocking off New Jersey, the Magic won four more while returning one all-star to the lineup but losing another in the process.

Monday night’s 97-91 win over the Charlotte Bobcats marked the return of forward Rashard Lewis from his 10-game suspension. But as it turns out, point guard Jameer Nelson was injured in that same game as he tore the lateral meniscus in his left knee which needed surgery to repair it. It came as a surprise considering Nelson doesn’t know how or when he hurt it, except that it happened at some point during that game against the Bobcats. Nelson is expected to be out for up to 4-6 weeks.

Jason Williams got the start in Nelson’s place on Wednesday night against Oklahoma City and the Magic responded by blowing out the Thunder 108-94. Six Magic players finished in double figures including Lewis, who was one assist away from his first career triple-double. Afterwards head coach Stan Van Gundy said he was pleased with Lewis’ play and that when his team plays like they did in that game they are very tough to beat.

The Magic then posted their most impressive win of the season on Friday night by beating the Boston Celtics, 83-78, in the first meeting between the two teams since Orlando won Game 7 of their second-round playoff series in Boston last season. Lewis declared the game a “statement game” and the Magic made their statement against one of the teams they figure to have to go through to get back to NBA Finals.

Vince Carter led the way with 26 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter, and helped hold the Celtics to 34-percent shooting from the floor. “This was a big game for us, a confidence booster,” Lewis said. “We rode Vince a lot tonight.”

The Magic left Boston for Toronto and won their fifth in a row as Carter scored 24 points in his first game against the Raptors, his original club, as a member of the Magic.

As the Magic prepare to take on the Miami Heat (8-5) on Wednesday at Amway Arena, questions remain. Can Williams  run the team for a long period of time with Anthony Johnson as a backup, or will the Magic eventually need to make a move for a point guard?

Only time will tell. But despite injuries, and even questions about the defensive toughness of the Magic, Orlando finds themselves tied for the league’s best record at 11-3 overall.

–– More Orlando Magic Coverage ––

– Zach McCann at Orlando Magic Daily

– Tim Povtak at Fanhouse

– Andrew Melnick at Howard the Dunk

– Don VanDemark at Magical Hoops

– Team page at HoopsWorld

– SB Nation’s Third Quarter Collapse