Dirk Nowitzki To Make Season Debut Against Suns

[RealGM Wiretap]

Dirk Nowitzki is set to make his season debut against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Nowitzki's recovery from ankle surgery last spring has been taking longer than expected.

The 40-year-old German, entering his 21st season, is set to make NBA history for the longest career with one team. He averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds coming off the bench in a high-scoring unit last season, and will reprise the same role again this year.

Nowitzki said "the boys are playing well. Maxi [Kleber]'s been playing, and Dwight [Powell]'s playing well off the bench. ... I have no idea [about the fit in the rotation], but it's not a bad thing to be deep at a position...our bench has been great all year and has won a bunch of games for us."

Via Tim MacMahon/ESPN

[Imon]

Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiirk!

[zonedefense]

Might want to check your stats. He started every single game he played last year. 77 GP...77 GS.

[Ryan91729]

"He averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds coming off the bench in a high-scoring unit last season, and will reprise the same role again this year."

Lol, Dirk started around 74 games last year. Never came off the bench once.

[gh123]

Hope he eats into Daj minutes. But yeah, with Maxi and Dwight playing well, there's not much pt going around.

[Clyde Frazier]

[12footrim]

Hope he eats into Daj minutes. But yeah, with Maxi and Dwight playing well, there's not much pt going around.

Dirk was like a top 60 player by RPM last year. Until he proves he's not a highly valuable player he certainly should be over those guys IMO or whoever the weak link is.

[Cassius]

Translation: You've seen my wife, right? I'm not trying to mess up my body anymore at 40+. I can barely keep up as it is.