By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Dirk Nowitzki is expected to make his long-awaited return to action in the road game against the Phoenix Suns.
As ESPN reports: Dirk Nowitzki is finally ready to begin his record-breaking 21st season with the Mavericks. The sources said Nowitzki plans to make his season debut in Thursday’s road game against the Phoenix Suns, after a longer-than-anticipated recovery from spring surgery on his left ankle.
Nowitzki is setting an NBA record for the longest career spent with only one team as he enters his 21st season with the Mavericks. Nowitzki and Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant are the only players in league history to play at least 20 years with one franchise.
The only players in league history to play 21 total seasons are Hawks forward Vince Carter, Kevin Garnett, Robert Parish, Kevin Willis and Moses Malone (including his two ABA seasons).