DALLAS – Don’t look for Dallas Mavericks superstar forward Dirk Nowitzki to be playing in a game any time soon.
After Friday morning’s shootaround at the Lympo practice facilities, coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged that “it’s going to be weeks, it’s going to be multiple weeks, I can tell you that” before Nowitzki will be healthy enough to play in a game.
“It’s going to be at least a couple of weeks, but there’s no real soft or hard date at this point,” Carlisle said. “He is doing better, but he has not done any significant court work.
“Because there are instances where things resolve. They get to a point where you’ve done a lot of stuff and then you can resolve quicker than expected, but right now he’s not playing for at least two weeks.”
Nowitzki hasn’t completely recovered after undergoing surgery on his left ankle on Apr. 5. Carlisle said to his knowledge he doesn’t believe doctors have to go back in and perform another surgery.
“The surgery was successful,” Carlisle said. “It’s just how the foot readjusts to increased mobility, so that’s where we are.
“His rehab work is ongoing. We can update you in another 10 days, or something like that.”
Nowitzki, 40, has yet to be involved in any live practices since the Mavs started training camp on Sept. 22.
“He’s been doing the underwater treadmill over at the (American Airlines Center) a fair amount. . .and feeling OK,” Carlisle said. “But you’re submerged and your body weight isn’t like it is when you’re running the court.
“I guess the bottom line is it’s going to be a while. We hope its sooner than later, but we don’t have a date.”
Carlisle also said there’s no firm date on when forward Harrison Barnes (strained right hamstring) will be available to play. Barnes sat out the first three preseason games and will also miss the preseason finale, which is Friday at 6 p.m. at AAC against the Charlotte Hornets.
“He’s doing better each day,” Carlisle said of Barnes. “His availability for the first (regular season) game (Wednesday in Phoenix) is going to hinge on whether he can get any quality practice time in between now and then.
“Monday we will probably be able to give you some kind of a gauge on that. But I can’t promise that we’ll even have a definitive answer then.”
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