Nowitzki returns, then ejected

January 16, 2011 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

Dallas forward Dirk Nowitzki returned to the lineup and started Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, then was ejected in the third quarter.

Nowitzki, the Mavericks’ leading scorer with 24.1 points per game, had missed the last nine games with a strained right knee.

“He’s going to be active, and he’s going to play,” Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. “He will start.”

But with 8:08 left in the third quarter, after getting called for a foul against Memphis forward Zach Randolph, Nowitzki’s frustration with his rusty play spilled over. He took two quick technicals from official Eric Dalen and was ejected, finishing with seven points and five rebounds in 15 minutes.

The Mavericks were 2-7 in Nowitzki’s absence, including a 101-89 loss at San Antonio on Friday night. In that game, their starters were limited to 34 points.