Mavs’ Nowitzki, Williams face injury woes ahead of Game 3

LOS ANGELES, USA – Dirk Nowitzki faces a battle to be fit for the Dallas Mavericks when they face the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday, April 22 in a crucial Game 3 of their best-of-7 playoff series.

Nowitzki played a key role for the Mavs on Monday when they bounced back from being thrashed in Game 1 to snatch an 85-84 win to level the series at one apiece.

However, Nowitzki underwent a scan Tuesday which revealed a bruised bone in his right knee, leaving him touch and go for Thursday’s third game.

“Dirk suffered a bruised right knee on the play very early in the game when he slid and fell,” coach Rick Carlisle told reporters. “This thing with Dirk now, we hope this is not something that’s going to cost him to miss any time.”

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Nowitzki’s absence would be another blow for the Mavs, who are already facing doubts around point guard J.J. Barea (groin) and forward David Lee (foot).

Point guard Deron Williams (hernia) is also “uncertain going forward,” according to Carlisle, despite playing in Game Two.

Williams, who took pain-killing medicine to help him play in Game Two, said he is hopeful he can feature on Thursday.

“I’ve got 3 days now to try to get treatment and do what I can do to get it back ready to go again,” Williams told reporters. – Rappler.com