Time to get Dirk Nowitzki out of your lineups for next week. Looks like Nowitzki injured his left leg in the third quarter of today’s game against the Spurs. According to the Dallas Morning News:
Nowitzki was playing defense against a driving Ime Udoka. The pair collided in midair and Nowitzki landed on his left leg, which buckled underneath him. He first grabbed his left ankle, then just below the knee. X-rays were negative, but he will have an MRI exam Monday.
As Cuban left the locker room toward his suite, he held up two fingers to indicate the weeks Nowitzki is expected to miss.
Ok. That note about Cuban seems kind of ridiculous, but if we go with it, what does that mean for the next couple weeks for Dallas? Malik Allen was the guy who replaced Dirk and he finished with a whopping 0 points and 4 fouls in 14 minutes. So, it seems safe to ignore Malik. Rather, it was Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse who got extra play in the game as the Mavs went small for much of the 4th quarter. Both should be better plays for the next couple weeks (assuming Cuban is correct), but unfortunately, the Mavs bench is so weak, I don’t see how anyone else will step up. But, kudos to those with Jason Terry.. he’s back.
any updates?
Comment by seanlb — March 23, 2008 @ 11:23 pm
No love for Josh Howard?
Comment by Leonard — March 24, 2008 @ 6:02 am
Dirk is going to be evaluated today, so will know more about his injury then.
Leonard, I didn’t mention Howard because I figured he’s flat out good with or without Dirk. But, yeah, he does stand to benefit scoring wise if Dirk misses any time.
Comment by Patrick — March 24, 2008 @ 7:29 am