Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki: Inactive Thursday with illness

Nowitzki (illness) is inactive for Thursday's game against the Lakers, The Dallas Morning News' Eddie Sefko reports.

Analysis:

Nowitzki didn't go through his normal pregame warmup, as he was clearly still feeling ill, prompting the Mavericks to give him the night off. Dorian Finney-Smith is expected to enter the starting five in place of Nowitzki, while Dwight Powell could benefit from some extra run off the bench. The Mavericks are opening a back-to-back set Thursday, so if Nowitzki doesn't show quick improvement with his condition, he could be at risk of missing Friday's tilt with the Warriors.