Dirk Nowitzki Injury: Updates on Mavericks Star's Knee and Return

Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki was dealing with a bruised right knee. However, he's ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Nowitzki Active vs. Thunder

Thursday, April 21

Erik Horne of The Oklahoman reported Nowitzki is in Dallas' starting lineup for Game 3 against Oklahoma City.

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Nowitzki Is Vital to Possible Upset of Thunder

Nowitzki has been remarkably durable throughout his career, only missing more than 10 games in a season once since his second year in 1999-2000. The Mavericks have done a good job keeping his minutes down as he's moved into his late 30s, as he's been between 29 and 33 in each of the last five years.

Yet even a limited version of Nowitzki continues to dazzle on the court in Dallas. The 37-year-old leads the Mavericks in scoring and is third in three-point field-goal percentage and rebounds.

The Mavericks are in an interesting position right now, with or without Nowitzki. There is a clear divide between the top as Golden State and San Antonio tower over the Western Conference.

Dallas has so little margin for error because of how good teams like the Warriors, Spurs and Thunder are, making Nowitzki's presence even more essential. David Lee is the backup power forward but lacks the versatility that makes Nowitzki so dangerous for opposing defenses.

Nowitzki may not be the MVP-caliber player he was in his prime, but he remains one of the most indispensable assets in the NBA.