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Mar 24, 2008 12:22 pm US/Central
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Nowitzki Out With Ankle Sprain & Sprained Knee
DALLAS (CBS 11 News/AP) ―
Late Monday morning the Dallas Mavericks announced that forward and seven-time All Star Dirk Nowitzki had been re-evaluated after being injured in Sunday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. Dirk left yesterday's game at the 3:18 mark of the third quarter after running and jumping to block a shot.
After undergoing an MRI on Monday it was confirmed that Dirk suffered a moderate high left ankle sprain and a mild left knee sprain. He is currently walking in a protective boot without crutches.
Doctors and Mavericks officials have set no timetable for his return.
Dirk is seventh in the league at 23.6 points per game this season. He's also the team leader in rebounds (8.8) and averaging a career-best 3.6 assists.
After being injured Dirk dejectedly put a hand on his head, and then pounded the court. The ugly looking fall happened in the third quarter of Dallas' 88-81 loss to the Spurs.
"I fell awkwardly and my left leg got caught underneath of me," Nowitzki said in a statement Sunday. "I am going to get re-evaluated in the morning and I hope to have more information then."
San Antonio won its third straight game since a 1-6 slump and got some breathing room over Dallas in the Western Conference playoff race. The Spurs also won the season series 3-1, which would help should the teams wind up tied -- but the Mavericks may have to worry about just making the playoffs if Nowitzki's injury is as severe as it looked.
Dallas hasn't beaten a winning team since Jason Kidd arrived. The Mavs are 0-8, including their last three, all at home. They were 29-4 at home -- without losing as many as two in a row -- before falling to the Lakers, Celtics and now the Spurs.
All three games were close at the end. Dallas lost the last two despite holding Boston to 34.5 percent shooting and San Antonio to 33 percent.
With 12 games left, the Mavericks are 44-26. They're ahead of Golden State for the final playoff spot, but the team they may have to watch most is Denver, which is on the outside looking in. The Nuggets were 41-28 going into a game at Toronto on Sunday afternoon.
Dallas next plays the Clippers at home on Tuesday, and then plays at Denver on Thursday and at Golden State on Sunday.
Mavs coach Avery Johnson told reporters that he hopes the players will practice today with, a renewed sense of optimism knowing that the season is not over."
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)