As for a timeline? Say, Christmas? “I’d say there’s a possibility — I’d say it’s a definite maybe,” Carlisle said, drawing a few laughs. “It could be sooner. It’s hard to say. He was cleared for an increase in activity a week ago. His court activity has been ramped up some. He will participate in certain aspects of training camp but nothing live to start off.”
More on Wesley Matthews Injury
Matthews' timetable is more nebulous. Matthews tore his Achilles with the Trail Blazers last March and has been recovering ever since. Even though he told Mavs Moneyball he would be ready for the season opener, it's been unlikely that he would make that initial game, given the nature of his injury. We spoke with a doctor who treats Achilles in July who explained what exactly Matthews is going through. "Wes is going to take a little longer," Carlisle said. "He's not going to want to tell you that and we're going to have to fight to keep him off the court, but we've got to make sure we do this the right way and that he's really 100 percent healthy before getting in."