Sixers Notes: Source: Iverson done for season

Allen Iverson will not return to the 76ers this season, a source close to the team said after a 126-105 loss to the Orlando Magic last night.

An official announcement is expected from the Sixers within the next two days.

Iverson has not played with the team since a Feb. 20 loss to the Bulls in Chicago, when he left to care for his sick 4-year-old daughter.

Since Iverson took his second leave from the team, it had been rumored that he was not likely to return.

Iverson, 34, averaged 13.9 points and 4.1 assists in 25 games with the Sixers, including 24 starts.

In December, the 14-year veteran signed a one-year prorated deal with the Sixers for the veterans' minimum.

After Iverson parted ways with the Memphis Grizzlies in November, he briefly retired before rejoining the Sixers.

Power forward Elton Brand did not suit up for last night's game because of Achilles tendinitis. Brand first experienced soreness in his right leg in a Feb. 19 game against San Antonio and had played with the ailment since then.

Willie Green and big man Jason Smith were on the active roster for the Sixers last night. Green had not played since injuring his shoulder in a game against the Miami Heat on Feb. 16. Smith had been out since spraining his ankle against the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 10.

Before the game, Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy gave his opinion on this season's Sixers.

"They've obviously lost Andre Miller and so it's been a lot more on the other guys in terms of running the offense," Van Gundy said. "They made a coaching change and a pretty significant change in terms of their system. Then they've had the unfortunate situation with Allen coming in and then the unfortunate family thing and being out. I think it's been hard with all of those things for them to establish any real consistency.

"I think at times they've looked very, very good, but it's been tough. Nobody's fault on that: It's just been personnel changes and coaching change and people in and out of the lineup. It gets difficult."

Magic point guard Jameer Nelson, who missed 16 games this season with torn cartilage in his left knee, said he thinks he can play better.

The former St. Joseph's star entered the game averaging 12.2 points and 5.2 assists.

"When you're playing 28, 30 minutes, it's kind of hard to do all the extra stuff you're supposed to do," Nelson said about his rehab. "I knew it was going to take a little longer [to fully recover] because I did play on it.

Nelson led the Magic with 22 points and 10 assists last night.

- Kate Fagan