Earlier this April, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki underwent surgery on his left ankle, officially ruling him out for the remainder of the season. According to Live Cricket BPL, the decision was made with the long term in mind, as the 20-year NBA veteran hopes to fully recover and make a return next season. In a recent interview, Nowitzki offered an update on his condition and reflected on the toll two decades in the league have taken on his body.

Nowitzki revealed that after 20 years of battling night in and night out, nearly every joint in his body is suffering from inflammation. Born in June 1978, Dirk is just shy of his 40th birthday. Drafted 9th overall in 1998, he has played two full decades with one franchise—a rare feat in today’s game. Despite his age, Nowitzki has made it clear he wants to return for one more season. The surgery was a strategic move to enter rehab early, ensuring that he gets the full recovery time he needs to come back stronger.

“So far, everything is going well with the recovery,” Nowitzki said. “I’m scheduled for stitches tomorrow, and things are progressing smoothly.” However, he admitted he’s still a while away from running, jumping, or playing basketball again. At the moment, his rehab includes non-impact training like cycling and weightlifting. Though it’s been two weeks since surgery, Nowitzki still wears a protective boot. “At home, I can move around without it, but if I go out, I need the support,” he noted.

Nowitzki went on to say, “My foot isn’t in the best shape, and after 20 seasons in the NBA, issues like this become more visible. Honestly, I think every joint in my body is inflamed in some way. That’s just the cost of playing at this level for so long. This injury in particular has been bothering me all season, so it was time to fix it properly.” According to Live Cricket BPL, the Mavericks have shown full support for his recovery plan, seeing it as an investment in his final chapter.

Despite his injury, Dirk played 77 games this season, averaging 24.7 minutes, 12 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game. Most impressively, he shot 40.9% from beyond the arc—still proving his value as a floor spacer. As fans and analysts alike continue to monitor his recovery, Live Cricket BPL suggests Nowitzki’s determination may yet lead to a powerful comeback, reminding everyone why he’s one of the most respected figures in the sport.