Carlisle says Dirk will be out weeks, not days recovering from ankle injury

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki believes he will be out for an extended period of time as he continues to recover from offseason ankle surgery.

"It's just going slow," Nowitzki said, according to Sportsday's Eddie Sefko. "It's not great right now, but we'll see."

Nowitzki didn't participate in practice and wasn't a part of any drills on Wednesday in China. Head coach Rick Carlisle believes the future Hall of Fame big man will take longer than expected to return.

"We're talking weeks, not days," Carlisle said.

Sefko noted Carlisle did not rule out Nowitzki's availability for the Oct. 17 season opener.

The German signed a one-year, $5-million deal to return to the Mavericks for his 21st straight season this summer.