Mavs legend Dirk Nowitzki sat out his second preseason game in a 120-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, the first of likely many games that he will miss with the impending recovery from the ankle surgery he underwent late last season.
The German international admitted his foot will still need some time to heal, as head coach Rick Carlisle announced earlier this week.
“I’ve had some foot problems. I had surgery in April and it healed okay,” Dirk Nowitzki told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype. “Told I was working out in Aug. and I think I did too much. I had a little setback. Right now it’s not great. I haven’t practiced with the team. I'm [limited] to light shooting, cardio work and lifting weights.”
Carlisle said it would be a matter of weeks, not months until Nowitzki makes his season debut, breaking Kobe Bryant's record for most seasons with one NBA franchise. Though it looks it could take a while before fans see No. 41 walk into the scorer's table, as he recently agreed to come off the bench, as rookie Luka Doncic moves into the starting lineup.
“Yeah. I always said, ‘Whatever is best for the team,'” said Nowitzki. “We had two tough seasons. [I'll do] whatever helps us win. We'll see how our team shapes up; Coach will figure out what’s best. It’s about the team, about the franchise. It’s not so much about one guy.”
Nowitzki seems in peace with Carlisle's decision, always the team-oriented guy, hoping to go out on a winning note. The 7-footer has stuck around the last few seasons, hoping to go out the right way after two disappointing seasons at the cellar of the Western Conference.
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