Dirk Nowitzki will most likely miss at least six weeks of playing time after having arthroscopic surgery on his knee Friday morning. The Mavericks announced the surgery on Friday, following a long battle with knee problems that had plagued Nowitzki throughout the preseason.

Nowitzki has had his knee drained twice since preseason activities began and was forced to sit out several preseason games for the team due to the lingering knee pains, including a game during their European tour. As tweeted by CBS' Ken Berger, the Mavericks did leave some wiggle room for a possible early return from the six-week timetable by giving him a projected return to on-court activities "within six weeks."

Being out for six weeks will have him return at some point in late November or early December, possibly holding him out of 15 or so regular season games for the team. They will open their regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 30.

This post first appeared on SB Nation.