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Dallas Mavericks veteran Dirk Nowitzki is about ready to finally kick off his 21st season in the NBA.

Nowitzki underwent surgery to remove bone spurs from his left ankle just before the end of last season, and has been sidelined ever since. The 13-time All-Star had targeted his return for the start of the season, but suffered tendon soreness just before training camp, and has yet to take the court.

Nowitzki, speaking with Dallas mayor Mike Rawlings while receiving the key to the city ahead of the Mavericks’ game against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night, said he hopes to be on the court again by the end of the year.

“It’s just hard when I haven’t done much for eight weeks and there’s a 40-year-old basically starting from scratch to try to get back in shape to play NBA minutes,” Nowitzki told the Associated Press. “Hopefully soon. Hopefully, somewhere in December I’ll be ready and the body will respond the right way.”

When he finally takes the court this fall, Nowitzki will become the first player in NBA history to play 21 seasons with the same franchise — passing Kobe Bryant, who hit 20 seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers before he retired in 2016.

The 40-year-old said he has been slowly increasing the intensity of his workouts over the past few weeks, but has yet to participate in a full practice. He doesn’t want to rush anything.

“The reason why we’re taking it so slow now is once I get out there, I want to finish the rest of the season healthy,” Nowitzki told the Associated Press. “I don’t want to come back too soon now and then have setbacks again like I did with the Achilles a few years ago. Next thing you know I missed another few weeks.”

While he didn’t say how he felt about returning for a 22nd season next year, Nowitzki did say he was beyond ready to get back on the court again.

“I’ve been antsy,” Nowitzki told the Associated Press. “Had the surgery in April and it’s been nothing but rehab and treadmills. Love to step out there soon and get the kick of competing, the crowd involved. It’s just something I miss. And once my career is over, that’s for sure something I’ll miss, the kick, the rush, the adrenaline.”

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