Michael

Finley

Finley remains day-to-day.

This doesn’t seem like any reason for concern.

“I don’t know when I’ll play. I’m literally day to day,” he said. If Finley misses either of the final two preseason games, he may take it easy to start the season, working himself into game shape.

Finley practiced Friday and could be activated Saturday.

Finley is due to come off the injured list in time for Sunday’s game at Denver. However, it’s still unknown if he’ll be able to play in that game, although the fact he’s walking naturally is a good sign.

“Getting close,” Finley said of the ankle. “Not to where I want to be, but getting close.” He doesn’t want to put a timetable on his return, but it should be around the beginning of December.

Finley is on the injured list with a sprained right ankle.

“I’ll be back soon, hopefully,” Finley said. He hinted he could play this week, but would realistically like to play in Chicago, his hometown, next Monday. The Mavericks are struggling without him and would like to see him return as soon as possible.

Nelson called out Finley last week after the shooter had just one rebound in a Feb. 8 loss to Chicago. His performance the last two games has led the Mavs to victories in two big road games at Sacramento and Seattle.

Finley didn’t play at all in the second quarter of the game. ''He was sick either with some food poisoning or flu last night,’' Mavs coach Don Nelson said. ''I was told he was over it. But obviously he wasn’t.’'