Magic guard J.J. Redick is again on the sidelines because of lingering soreness in his back. Redick was sent home from the Magic's road trip last Monday after experiencing painful back spasms.

Redick had hoped to compete for a starting job this season and, at worst, be a major cog in Stan Van Gundy's rotation. But to date, Redick has played just six minutes in two games. After a solid start to the preseason, Redick fell behind Keith Bogans, and an injury once again doomed any chance he had of cracking the rotation.

It's eerily similar to last year, when Redick missed all summer with a herniated disc in his back and most of training camp with torn tissue in the bottom of his foot.

"It hasn't been the best of starts to the season for me personally, but you can't predict these sort of things," said Redick, who hopes to return Friday.