Report: Dirk's status for Thunder will be a game-time decision


Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is expected to be a game-time decision for Friday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, coach Rick Carlisle told reporters following the team's morning shootaround.
Nowitzki missed Wednesday's game with swelling in his right knee. After the game he told reporters that he had no pain in the knee and that he was optimistic he would be able to play against the Thunder.
A positive sign is that Nowitzki participated in the shootaround Friday morning. He did not do so prior to missing Wednesday's game, the first game he's missed this season due to an injury.
Nowitizki and the Mavs' four other starters sat out the Jan. 14 game at Oklahoma City, Carlisle's decision to rest his starters following an overtime game the night before.
The last matchup, a Thunder blowout win, saw a second-quarter altercation between Mavs guard J.J. Barea and Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, and the ejection of Mavs forward Charlie Villanueva followed a few minutes later by Westbrook.
— Dwain Price (@DwainPrice) January 22, 2016
