Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Dallas Mavericks icon and future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is expecting to return in December, so we examine five possibilities for his first game.
The Dallas Mavericks have won nine of their first 18 games this season. Rookie Luka Doncic has been the Mavs best player as they vault from the bottom to playoff contention. The run has been impressive but the absence of Dirk Nowitzki has increased the shock value.
The Mavericks legend has yet to play this season because of an ankle injury. Dirk had surgery back in April, and the recovery has been slow for the 41-year-old. He announced a few days back that he hoped to return at some point in December, though.
Let us take a look at a few dates that Nowitzki could play his first game in historic season 21. The Mavs are going to have to ease Dirk into action. They will also likely want his first game to be at home. Nowitzki’s return appears a few weeks away. Here are the five most likely games for his first action.
Dec. 2 vs. Clippers
The first home contest in the month of December is against the LA Clippers. It is a Sunday game. The Clippers are sitting atop the Western Conference standings after the Nov. 25 action. LA also has three big men that eat all of their center minutes. Montrezl Harrell, Marcin Gortat, and Boban Marjanovic are going to play at the five.
That last bit is important because Dirk Nowitzki is now a center, and he is going to struggle to defend these modern stretch fives. A matchup against a bruiser down low also gives Dallas an advantage because when they have the ball because Nowitzki is pulling that player out of the paint.
This game sits at the third most likely return date on the list. The main reason is it gives Dirk less a week to be ready, and that may just not be enough time.
