National Basketball Association

Dirk tears tendon in left index finger

Published May. 31, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Dirk Nowitzki tore a tendon in his left index finger during Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and will wear a splint to protect it the rest of the series.

Nowitzki was hurt trying to swipe the ball from Miami's Chris Bosh during the fourth quarter of Dallas' 92-84 loss in the opener Tuesday night. The injury frightened him at first because he was unable to straighten the finger.

Nowitzki said an X-ray showed no broken bones.

Nowitzki is right-handed, so he uses his left hand mostly to guide his shots. He said he doesn't expect the injury or the bandage to be much of an issue.

He led Dallas with 27 points in Game 1.