Per report, Dirk Nowitzki set to make his debut against the Phoenix Suns

After missing the first 25 games of the season Dirk Nowitzki is finally ready to play his first game this season, per a report from ESPN’s Tim MacMahon.

When he checks in for the first time against the Phoenix Suns, Nowitzki will officially set the record with 21 seasons on a single team.

Around the end of last season Nowitzki had surgery to remove bone spurs in his foot so that he could be ready for the beginning of this season. The recovery went well and he looked on track to be ready for the middle of October.

In September he had a setback when his tendon “reacted” as he said back on Marc Stein’s podcast a month ago. Nowitzki has played in several three on threes in practice and according to the eye test looks absolutely ready. Tuesday night Dirk was listed as questionable for the first time this season and now it’s official: he’s playing.

Since media day the Mavericks have stated that the time has come to see Dirk Nowitzki come off the bench and tonight it’s actually happening. For the first time this millennium Dirk will be a full time bench player.

It’s the beginning of a new era and Dallas, but when Luka Doncic hits Dirk Nowitzki with an assist at the top of the arc, the future of the Mavericks will finally feel real.

Dirk is back, y’all.