While Dirk Nowitzki will not be available for the Mavericks' next two games, both on the road, they are hopeful to have their star back in uniform later this week, the Dallas Morning News are reporting.

Originally expected to miss two weeks, the sharp shooting big man may be back earlier.

"He did a little stairmaster and the bike, but no serious running yet," Coach Avery Johnson said. "He's not really ready for that. We'll see him when we get back off this road trip, which is pretty much what we thought."