Mar 7, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates with guard Yogi Ferrell (11) and forward Nerlens Noel (3) after scoring his 30,000th point during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki on Thursday confirmed his intention to return next season for a 20th year with the club.
The future Hall of Famer averaged 14.2 points in 54 games this season. The average was his lowest since his rookie season of 1998-99 when he contributed 8.2 per game.
Most of the 28 games Nowitzki missed were due to Achilles’ tendon soreness, but he said he feels healthy upon completion of the 2016-17 campaign. He also said he could possibly play in 2018-19 as well.
Nowitzki, who turns 39 in June, became the sixth player in NBA history to reach the 30,000-point mark when he topped the barrier in March. The 7-foot power forward has scored 30,260 points and is a 13-time All-Star.
–The Orlando Magic fired general manager Rob Hennigan, one day after the team missed the playoffs for the fifth straight year.
Orlando also dismissed assistant general manager Scott Perry and made assistant general manager Matt Lloyd its interim GM. The team said Lloyd will be considered for the permanent job.
Hennigan, who was hired as the youngest GM in the NBA at age 30 in 2012, was under contract through next season. Orlando posted a 132-278 mark under his watch. The Magic finished 29-53 this season.
–The New York Knicks and team president Phil Jackson picked up their option on the remaining two years of his contract, ESPN reported.
New York has posted an 80-166 mark and missed the playoffs in each of the first three years under the watch of Jackson, who is making $12 million annually.
New York, which made the playoffs in 14 straight seasons from 1988 to 2001, has failed to qualify for the postseason in 12 of the last 16 campaigns. The Knicks also closed out their seventh season with at least 50 losses since 2001.
–Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen is out indefinitely with a sprained right calf, the team announced.
Allen injured the calf during Wednesday’s regular-season finale against the Dallas Mavericks.
Allen is expected to miss the entire first-round series against the San Antonio Spurs. The series starts Saturday in San Antonio.
Allen, 35, averaged 9.1 points and 5.5 rebounds in the regular season.
