CHICAGO - Dirk Nowitzki said Monday the next step in his recovery from ankle surgery and lingering foot soreness is, literally, a step.
Side-to-side steps, to be exact.
Nowitzki said that he has not begun lateral moves on the left foot that has delayed the start to his 21st season.
"Not yet," he said. "It's tough, but we'll see how it goes the next few weeks."
The plan -- or at least the hope -- is for Nowitzki to be playing at some point near the end of November or early December. Coach Rick Carlisle has said he would be thrilled if Nowitzki is playing in any November games.