Nelson set career highs in points, steals, and shooting percentages during the 2008–09 NBA season. He, along with teammates Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis, were selected to play in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game. However, a torn labrum in Nelson's right shoulder, a potential season-ending injury, forced him to miss the game. Nelson was averaging 16.7 points per game and 5.4 assists at the time. After a four–month recovery, Nelson returned for the NBA Finals with the controversial decision by Stan Van Gundy for allowing him to play in heavy minutes by limiting Rafer Alston playing, which led the team into demise as the Magic were defeated by the Lakers in five games.