Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki is still undecided whether he will choose to play another year in the NBA or not. The longtime face of the Mavs returned after missing the last four games of the 2017-18 season to undergo a clean-up procedure in his ankle, hoping to be in full health for this go-around.
The legendary forward, who ranks seventh in the all-time scoring list, missed the first 26 games of the season recovering and re-strengthening his ankle, but he's played less than 20 minutes in each game until the last three.
Article Continues Below“I'd love to be there for the young guys one more year, but I think it depends on how the body feels,” Nowitzki said after producing 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in 22 minutes during Wednesday's 110-101 win over the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. “I've had some issues, obviously, this year. I had some knee swelling here the last few weeks, actually before the All-Star break, so it's not all great. But like I said, I am feeling better. I am feeling a little stronger.”
Nowitzki topped the 20-minute mark for the first time on Feb. 23 in a loss to the Utah Jazz, now stringing together three consecutive 20-minute-plus outings — closer to the norm he was expected to play coming into the season.
The 7-footer took a bench role, considering the improvements the team had made with the roster, and the condition of his ankle — making this a much smoother transition.
If the German international decides to stick it out one more season, it's unclear how much he will play, but it's likely that he's hoping to go out seeing his Mavericks make the playoffs before calling it a career.