Mavs' Howard out indefinitely with ankle injury

Nov 14, 2009 - 1:26 AM MINNEAPOLIS(AP) -- Dallas Mavericks swingman Josh Howard is out indefinitely to continue his recovery from surgery on his left ankle.

Howard missed all the preseason and the first five games of the regular season after having arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and wrist in May. He returned to the starting lineup on Saturday against Toronto and played in the past three games.

Coach Rick Carlisle said Friday that Howard needs more time to recover. He did not put a timetable on Howard's return. Howard will still do some work in practice in addition to his rehabilitation while he tries to regain the strength and mobility in the ankle.

"Just to make sure he gets some more time to rehab and strengthen," Carlisle said at the Friday morning shootaround before the Mavericks played the Minnesota Timberwolves. "He hasn't had any setbacks or anything like that. But it's the best thing."

Howard averaged 18 points and 5.1 rebounds last season. He scored 14 points in a win over Houston on Tuesday night, but Carlisle said he has experienced some soreness after a back-to-back against San Antonio on Wednesday and the team is going to "err on the side of caution."

"You never know for sure how someone's going to react," Carlisle said. "He did well on a lot of levels. He just needs some more time. Simple as that."

The Mavericks, who are off to a 5-3 start, will use "a potpourri" of lineups going forward to fill in while Howard is out, Carlisle said.

Dallas also expects to get forward Tim Thomas back soon. Thomas has missed the first eight games while recovering from surgery on his right knee. Carlisle said he would not play on Friday night.