Dirk Nowitzki injury: Mavericks star may need knee surgery

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki has a sore, swollen right knee for the second consecutive training camp. Nowitzki might opt to have arthroscopic surgery before the season begins, and the sooner he and the Mavericks can make that decision, he says the better, according to The Dallas Morning News:

"We'll see how it responds. But the longer we wait, obviously the worse it is. If we have to do something, it'd be better to do it quick."

Nowitzki sat out Tuesday's exhibition in Spain against FC Barcelona Regal. Nowitzki played through similar pain last season, and it hampered him so much that he had his worst statistical season since 1999-2000. He also needed four games off to improve his conditioning and get treatment on the knee.

Should Nowitzki, 34, have surgery in the next week, it is possible that he could return for Dallas' Oct. 30 opener in Los Angeles against the Lakers. Dirk also says that this year his legs are "actually pretty strong." Nowitzki's conditioning after returning from the lockout last year was often called into question. This season, Nowitzki needs to be at full strength for the Mavericks to contend in the deep Western Conference.