Dirk Nowitzki is set to make his season debut against the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.

Nowitzki's recovery from ankle surgery last spring has been taking longer than expected.

The 40-year-old German, entering his 21st season, is set to make NBA history for the longest career with one team. He averaged 12 points and 5.7 rebounds coming off the bench in a high-scoring unit last season, and will reprise the same role again this year.

Nowitzki said "the boys are playing well. Maxi [Kleber]'s been playing, and Dwight [Powell]'s playing well off the bench. ... I have no idea [about the fit in the rotation], but it's not a bad thing to be deep at a position...our bench has been great all year and has won a bunch of games for us."