Mavericks’ Nowitzki to start in Game 3 vs. Thunder despite bone bruise

Dirk Nowitzki will not allow something he characterized as mundane as a bone bruise in his right knee keep him from playing in a playoff game.

“You know me,” the Dallas Mavericks’ star forward said after Wednesday’s practice. “To miss a playoff game something’s really, really got to be wrong.

“The good thing is I don’t think anything can get worse there. It’s just a bone bruise, so it’s really about dealing with some swelling and some pain and some discomfort, but I don’t think that should hold me back.”

Thus, Nowitzki will be in the starting lineup when the Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder play Game 3 of their best-of-seven first-round playoff series Thursday at 6 p.m. at American Airlines Center. The series is tied 1-1 after the Mavericks’ surprising 85-84 triumph in OKC on Monday.

Besides Nowitzki, guard J.J. Barea, who missed Game 2 with a strained right groin, had an MRI exam Tuesday and hopes to play in Game 3.

“I had a great workout today,” Barea said. “I felt good in practice, so yeah, I’m going to do everything I can to get back in there [Thursday].

“I’ll probably make a decision [Thursday] morning, but so far so good. If I wake up ... feeling good again, then we’ll go from there.”

Meanwhile, point guard Deron Williams (sports hernia) is a game-time decision for Game 3. And center David Lee (partial tear to right plantar fascia) has been improving after missing the series’ first two games.

“Barea and Lee have been doing a little better each day,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “Both did a few things on the court [Wednesday].

“We’ll see where these guys are in the morning, and I’m hopeful that we can get as many healthy bodies as possible. But I really won’t know until [Thursday] where we are.”

Nowitzki suffered his injury 20 seconds into Monday’s game. But he was able to play 38 minutes and contribute 17 points and four rebounds.

“Once you’re out there you kind of run on adrenaline,” Nowitzki said. “One time I remember a timeout it was bothering me a little bit on the back and I got it worked on a little bit, but obviously I didn’t know what extent it’s going to be after the game.

“I could barely walk off the plane. I had some pain, but it was a lot better already yesterday. Obviously, the meds have kicked in, so keeping it light today ... and be ready [Thursday].”

Nowitzki said there was some swelling in his knee on Tuesday. That was cause for concern because it’s the same knee the 18-year veteran had arthroscopic surgery on Oct. 19, 2012.

Nowitzki, who turns 38 on June 19, doesn’t believe the injury will limit his mobility.

“Well, I’m not sure if you’ve seen me play, but it’s not about movement anymore in this part of my career,” Nowitzki said while smiling. “It’s about being smart and using my ability at both ends of the floor.

“They were draped all over me pretty good the first two games. So if that’s the case this time just try to set a pick, get some other guys open and then not force a lot of bad shots — just play a smart game like we have.”

Williams scored 11 of his 13 points in the first quarter in Game 2 before the pain became unbearable and he left after playing 26 minutes. Barea gained some inspiration after watching Williams’ performance.

“D-Will was great in the first half,” Barea said. “He was able to give us a great start, and that was huge.”

Nowitzki knows he can’t get into a situation where he feels the need to take over the scoring load.

“Yeah, injury-wise it’s been tough,” Nowitzki said. “I’m not sure who’s even available at this point.

“But whoever puts the uniform on is going to give it the best, is going to, just like [Monday] night, compete and we’ll go from there.”

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 7:41 PM with the headline "Mavericks’ Nowitzki to start in Game 3 vs. Thunder despite bone bruise."