Dirk hurt on dark night for Mavs in Denver

[vinnieponte]

By EDDIE SEFKO / The Dallas Morning News



DENVER – Another game, another injury. And this ankle may rankle the Mavericks most of all.

Dirk Nowitzki went down late in the first half of the Mavericks' 110-82 loss Sunday night to Denver with a sprained left ankle. X-rays were negative, but with Nowitzki's history of ankle problems, there was reason for concern.

"It's not good," coach Don Nelson said. "I don't know how bad it is, but it's not good. The one guy we can't afford to lose is Nowitzki."

Nowitzki went up for a fadeaway jump shot in the corner with just under three minutes remaining in the second quarter. He came down on Nene's foot, slid onto the sideline near the Mavericks' bench and clutched his lower leg.

He had to be helped to the locker room and could not put any weight on his left foot. After the X-rays, he was on crutches. He was wheeled out of Pepsi Center on a cart. He will have an MRI today.

"I rolled it pretty good," Nowitzki said. "We'll wait and see what happens after the MRI."

The Mavericks have had a string of ankle problems. Michael Finley has missed six games. Marquis Daniels missed all of training camp and has not been 100 percent yet. Jason Terry missed a game and Josh Howard tweaked his ankle in the first week of the season, but he did not miss time.

Nowitzki has a history of ankle problems. He typically doesn't miss extended time with the injuries. But this one may be worse.

Nowitzki was fitted for a compression boot for the flight home. He was expected to miss at least tonight's game against Minnesota.

[vinnieponte]

sorry didn't know this was already posted, please lock