Mavs' Parsons participates in full practice for 1st time since knee surgery

The hobbled Dallas Mavericks are slowly rounding back to health as the regular season fast approaches.

Small forward Chandler Parsons, who has spent the entire offseason rehabbing from a knee cartilage injury that required "minor hybrid" microfracture surgery in May, was a full participant in practice Thursday for the first time in nearly six months.

"Besides being exhausted and tired, I felt fine," Parsons said, according to ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "A little bit rusty. Obviously it's going to take some time to get back to 100 percent, with making reads and timing and everything like that, but it's very positive that I'm able to get through a whole practice without any pain or pulling me out or anything."

Parsons has long been targeting the Mavs' regular-season opener on Oct. 28 for his return, and sat out all of training camp and preseason with the aim of being as healthy as possible for opening night.

That makes sense for Parsons ahead of what may be the most important season of his pro career. With Monta Ellis gone and Dirk Nowitzki slowing, Parsons is expected to become more of a focal point in head coach Rick Carlisle's offense in his second year in Dallas.