Dirk Nowitzki Returns Mavericks Team Practice

Dec 19, 2012 03:44 PM EST

Dallas Mavericks All-Star forward Dirk Nowitzki participated in a his first full practice Wednesday since undergoing preseason arthroscopic knee surgery.

With no set timetable for Nowitzki to begin playing in games, the German star will remain sidelined for Thursday night's meeting against the Miami Heat.

It was originally believed that Nowitzki would be able to resume basketball activities within six weeks of the Oct. 19 surgery, but his recovery from knee surgery has taken a much slower process than earlier anticipated.

A month after the surgery, Nowitzki adjusted his goal to be ready to play by mid-December, but has also remained adamant to not rush back before his knee and body are ready for game action, with the thought of playing at least another three seasons.

Nowitzki had issues with the same knee two seasons ago when he missed time before the Mavs won their only NBA title, then skipped a week in January to strengthen and condition that knee.

Before this injury, Nowitzki had never missed more than nine games in a single season.

The 11-time All-Star and former league MVP is the franchise's career leader in points and has averaged 22.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in 14 seasons.

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