DALLAS, Texas (AFP) - Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki will be sidelined indefinitely with a high left ankle sprain and sprained left knee, the National Basketball Association club announced on Monday.
The 29-year-old German forward was injured in an 88-81 loss on Sunday to the San Antonio Spurs, the Mavericks' third loss in a row, and his absence deals a major blow to Dallas hopes of qualifying for the NBA playoffs.
"I really don't know how long it's going to take - a week, two weeks. I have no idea," Nowitzki said. "I think the first 48 hours are important to keep no swelling from coming in."
Nowitzki, last season's NBA Most Valuable Player, underwent an MRI exam on Monday and is walking in a protective boot but without crutches. He was helped off the court after the injury and seen limping outside the locker room.
"I really don't have any experience with this," he said. "And I've never really had knee problems before, so I'm just going to take it day by day."
Nowitzki, a seven-time NBA All-Star who leads the Mavericks with 23.6 points and 8.8 rebounds a game, suffered the injuries when he fell awkwardly after blocking a shot by the Spurs' Ime Udoka with 3:18 to play in the third quarter.
"My leg really got caught in the wrong place," Nowitzki said. "It's a little disappointing now, but I think the good thing is it could've been a lot worse. I was really lucky."
After the fall, Nowitzki grabbed his left knee and grimaced in pain. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban indicated after the game he expected Nowitzki would miss two weeks, sidelining him for seven of Dallas' remaining 12 games.
"This is a huge stretch," Nowitzki said. "I was looking at the schedule and a lot of big games are coming up on the road, a lot of travelling, so I would love to be out there soon."
At 44-26, the Mavericks are seventh in the Western Conference but only one-half game ahead of Golden State and two games ahead of Denver.
Should both clubs move past Dallas, the Mavericks - 2006 NBA runners-up - could miss the playoffs for the first time since 2000.
The Mavericks are only 9-8 since obtaining Jason Kidd from New Jersey, having yet to beat a club with a winning record since the deal.
