Dirk Nowitzki’s 19th season in the league is already off to a rough start.
Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle said that Nowitzki, who was forced to exit Friday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers early, will be “out for a while” as the team is shutting him down for at least a week, per Bobby Karalla of Mavs.com.
Rick Carlisle said Dirk will be "out for a while." Mavs shutting him down for at least a week. "It's bad news, but we'll get through it."
— Bobby Karalla (@bobbykaralla) November 5, 2016
Carlisle also added that the 13-time All-Star is dealing with right Achilles soreness, per Earl K. Sneed of Mavs.com.
Rick Carlisle says Dirk Nowitzki will be out at least 7 days and will be reevaluated then due to his right Achilles soreness.
— Earl K. Sneed (@EarlKSneed) November 5, 2016
Nowitzki, 38, had put up 12.0 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in three appearances so far this season. Not much is going right for the Mavericks as they are now 0-5 on the year and currently have the sixth-worst net rating in the league (per NBA.com). Now they can add the absence of their longtime franchise cornerstone to their list of woes.
