DALLAS -- Dirk Nowitzki is finally ready to begin his record-breaking 21st season with the Dallas Mavericks, sources told ESPN.
The sources said that 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, the sixth-leading scorer in NBA history with 31,187 career points, was listed as questionable for the first time this season Monday but sat out the Mavs' home win over the Atlanta Hawks.
"He's getting closer," coach Rick Carlisle said before the Mavs extended their home winning streak to 11 games with a 114-107 victory.