NBA: Nowitzki returns for Dallas
Dirk Nowitzki made his season debut for the Mavericks last night, entering the game as a substitution midway through the first quarter of a 129-91 loss to the Spurs in San Antonio.
The former MVP played in one preseason game for the Mavs but had missed the team’s first 27 regular season games. He immediately picked up a rebound for Dallas (12-15).
Nowitzki, who underwent surgery on his right knee Oct. 19 after experiencing soreness last season, finished with eight points — going 3 for 4 from the field — and six rebounds in 20 minutes. The 34-year-old has averaged 22.9 points and 8.3 rebounds in his career. He led the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA title, but struggled last season while dealing with the knee injury.
Danny Green scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Spurs (21-8), who led by as many as 46.
The Mavericks signed guard-forward Chris Douglas-Roberts off their Development League team. Douglas-Roberts fills the spot of Derek Fisher, who was waived.
Marcus Thornton scored 18 of his 22 points in the second half to help the Kings snap Portland’s five-game winning streak with a 108-96 victory. The Kings played without starting center DeMarcus Cousins, who was suspended indefinitely Saturday for unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.
Paul Millsap scored 18 points as the Jazz survived a fourth-quarter rally to slip past the Magic 97-93. The Jazz played without point guard Mo Williams, who is out indefinitely with a thumb injury.
Blake Griffin scored 23 points as the visiting Clippers beat the Suns 103-77 to extend a franchise record with their 13th consecutive victory.
college HOOPS: Iona rolls past Norfolk State
Lamont Jones scored 24 points and David Laury had 20 points and seven rebounds to lead Iona (6-5) to a 100-72 victory over visiting Norfolk State (6-8).
Jamaal Franklin had a double-double with 19 points and 15 rebounds and No. 18 San Diego State (11-1) held off Indiana State (6-4) 62-55 in the Diamond Head Classic t in Honolulu.
Pitt coach Jamie Dixon earned his 250th career victory as the Panthers (11-1) posted a 59-43 win over Kennesaw State (1-11).
CYCLING: Newspaper sues Lance Armstrong
A British newspaper said it is suing Lance Armstrong for 1 million pounds ($1.6 million) over a libel payment made to the disgraced cyclist in 2006. The Sunday Times, like The Post owned by News Corp., paid Armstrong 300,000 pounds ($484,682) to settle a libel case after previously suggesting that he may have cheated.
NHL: No new talks are scheduled
NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said no new talks are scheduled with the players’ association. So far, 625 games — more than 50 percent of the schedule — have been wiped out by the lockout, along with the Winter Classic and the All-Star Game.
ETC.: ManU, Swansea settle for tie
Premier League leader Manchester United dropped points in the title race with a 1-1 tie at Swansea, and third-place Chelsea routed Aston Villa 8-0.
Jamaican forward Omar Cummings, who helped the Colorado Rapids win the 2010 MLS title, was traded to the Houston Dynamo for American midfielder Nathan Sturgis.
Greece’s Fotis Katsikaris is set to become coach of the Russian men’s basketball team. He replaces American-born Israeli David Blatt, who quit in October.