After originally expected to return to action near the start of February, Nerlens Noel may need to wait longer before he steps on the court once again for the Dallas Mavericks. He reportedly did not suffer any setbacks in his recovery from thumb surgery, but his head coach shared that he wants him fully recovered first as he catches the ball a lot using his left hand.

Rick Carlisle made it known that the 23-year-old Kentucky product is progressing slower than expected and he also wants to make sure that he is back to 100 percent when he suits up for his team again, according to Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News.

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Noel has only appeared in 18 games so far this season for the Mavs, starting in six of them. He is averaging 4.0 points and 4.1 rebounds in only 12.5 minute per game. He has also fallen out of the team’s rotation, with the emergence of Dwight Powell and even Salah Mejri as reliable backup big men behind Dirk Nowitzki and Maxi Kleber, who has been their starting frontline.

It remains to be seen when exactly Noel will be able to make his return and how he’ll fare once he does. However, he’s expected to continue having a minor role with the Mavericks. Unless he can show that he can play at a very high level again and show no signs of being slowed down by his thumb, especially when catching the ball, which has been the primary concern of Carlisle.