National Basketball Association

Kidd returns to Mavs lineup after 6-game absence

Published Feb. 11, 2012 5:04 a.m. ET

foxsports

Point guard Jason Kidd returned to the Dallas lineup on Friday night after missing the past six games because of a strained right calf muscle, finishing with eight points and 10 assists in 27 minutes in a victory at Minnesota.

The 38-year-old Kidd has played in more games (1,284) than any other active player in the NBA. He said his calf felt fine and his biggest challenge is getting back in shape. He rode a stationary bike behind the bench in the fourth quarter before entering the game with 10:32 left and swishing a key 3-pointer 17 seconds later to stretch the Mavericks' lead to six points.

Kidd also missed four games last month because of a strained lower back. He said he wasn't worried about playing on back-to-back nights, with Dallas due back home on Saturday to face the Portland Trail Blazers.

''Everything is good. I've just got to get my wind back,'' Kidd said.