Nerlens Noel Set To Return On Wednesday

Mavericks big man Nerlens Noel, who has been sidelined since November with a hand injury, is on track to return to the court on Wednesday, head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters today (video link via Eddie Sefko of The Dallas Morning News). According to Carlisle, Noel will be available for Dallas’ game tomorrow against Oklahoma City, barring a last-minute setback.

The final month and a half of the 2017/18 season could be crucial for Noel, who will be eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer. Having bet on himself last summer by signing his one-year qualifying offer after turning down a lucrative multiyear deal, the former sixth overall pick hasn’t seen that bet pay off so far, as it’s been a disappointing year in Dallas.

Even before undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb, Noel was averaging a career-low 12.5 minutes per contest in 18 games for the Mavs. In limited action, the 23-year-old recorded 4.0 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and a .528 FG%.

With the Mavs out of playoff contention, Noel has said that he hopes to see a larger role when he returns to action. A strong showing down the stretch could help the young center rebuild his value before he reaches the open market in July.

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