Dirk Nowitzki plans to play vs. Clippers, says he'll be on minutes restriction

Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki plans to play Friday night after an extended absence due to a strained right Achilles tendon.

Nowitzki told reporters after participating in shootaround that he would return Friday night for a road game against theLA Clippers. He added that he would play "spot minutes," as he'll be under a minutes restriction early in his comeback.

"I'm excited to be back," Nowitzki said. "Hopefully I can stay back this time."

Nowitzki the sixth-leading scorer in NBA history, has played only five games this season due primarily to soreness in his Achilles tendon that flared up after logging 38 minutes in a season-opening overtime loss to the Indiana Pacers.

After sitting out eight straight games, Nowitzki briefly returned in late November, playing in lopsided losses to the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers.

Nowitzki, 38, has since acknowledged that he rushed back prematurely. Nowitzki took a more cautious approach after being shut down again, sitting out almost a month and gradually ramping up his workout routine, including an attempt to simulate game-like conditions Thursday with the Mavs' low-minute players.