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Nowitzki to return from 14-game absence vs. Clippers

Jerome Miron / USA TODAY Sports

Dirk Nowitzki will be a sight for the Dallas Mavericks' sore eyes Friday night, as he suits up for the first time in 14 games and just the sixth time all season.

Nowitzki, who has been dealing with an Achilles strain since opening night, told reporters he went through a successful workout Thursday and will return on a minutes limit as the Mavs visit the Los Angeles Clippers, according to Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News.

"The Achilles responded really well to all the stuff we did," Nowitzki said. "But nothing is like replicating the games. We'll ease into it and play some spot minutes here and there and increase the workload as we go along. But I'm really happy. It hasn't been great for a long, long time. Hopefully we're over the worst and not looking back from here."

The 38-year-old is hoping his return to game action lasts longer than his last one did. Nowitzki came back prematurely in late November, and played just two games before having to shut it back down.

"I'm excited to be back and hopefully stay back this time," he said. "I don't want to keep being in and out of the lineup all season."

Thanks to the nagging injury, Nowitzki has yet to find any kind of rhythm on the court, averaging 12.2 points and 6.4 rebounds while shooting 35.8 percent from the field and 27.3 percent from 3-point range. The Mavs have yet to win a game he's played in.

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