Dirk Nowitzki is out indefinitely with a strained right Achilles

Dallas Mavericks fans shouldn’t look for Dirk Nowitzki to be playing in any games any time soon.

Coach Rick Carlisle recently had a discussion with Casey Smith, the Mavs’ head athletic trainer, about Nowitzki, who has missed 13 of the team’s 18 games while dealing with a strained right Achilles.

"I talked to Casey about it yesterday and I think he’s going to be out for awhile,’’ Carlisle said, referring to Nowitzki. "I think ‘indefinitely’ is an accurate word until we tell you something.’’