Mavs' Kidd out a week

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS -- Mavericks guard Jason Kidd will be out at least a week because of a strained right calf.

Coach Rick Carlisle said before Sunday night's game against San Antonio that Kidd would be sidelined, and probably longer than a week. The game against the Spurs was the first of five games for Dallas in seven days.

When speaking to reporters at halftime, Kidd said he felt good. He said he continue to do rehabilitation and see how he felt next weekend.

Kidd got hurt playing defence just more than two minutes into Friday's game victory against Utah. He said he tried to plant while trying to draw a charge when he got hurt.

"I felt like I got kicked in the calf," said Kidd, who was told by a Mavericks trainer that nobody had actually hit him. "I'm happy it was just a strain."

Kidd was wearing a sleeve over his right calf while riding a stationary bicycle before Sunday's game.

The 38-year-old Kidd missed four games earlier this month because of a lower back injury. Kidd is averaging 4.1 points and 5.1 assists per game this season.

Kidd said his back was feeling good.

There was some better news surrounding another injured Mav, as Dirk Nowitzki is back in the Dallas lineup tonight.

Nowitzki started Sunday night's game against San Antonio following a planned four-game hiatus to strengthen his sore right knee and do conditioning work.

The NBA finals MVP averaged 17.5 points and 5.4 rebounds a game in starting the first 16 games for Dallas. The Mavericks went 3-1 without their seven-foot star forward.

Nowitzki's return came at the same time guard Jason Kidd missed the first game of what is expected to be at least a week out of action because of a right calf strain.