Dallas Mavericks coach Don Nelson is once again turning the team over to assistant coach Avery Johnson, this time to be with his wife while she recovers from surgery.

Nelson will Thursday night's game at home against the Los Angeles Lakers then a road trip to Milwaukee and Minnesota. He's expected to return for Tuesday night's home game against the Timberwolves.

Johnson has run most practices this season and has coached several games, sometimes with Nelson serving as an assistant. Johnson also had a 10-game stint in charge while Nelson was out following shoulder surgery. The Mavs went 7-3 in that span.