PHILADELPHIA -- Coach Don Nelson's return to the Dallas
Mavericks produced a victory and a season-high point total Friday
night.
Nelson missed three games -- the last two were losses -- while he
consulted with doctors on how to treat his prostate cancer.
"It's been hard to be away and I really miss the guys," Nelson
said after Dallas beat the Philadelphia 76ers 112-94. "This is a
game that is fun for coaches to coach in. It was great competition
and that is what I live for. I could hardly stay away."
He will have surgery Jan. 4, and rejoin the Mavericks after
missing 6-to-8 weeks.
"I feel real good about the surgery," Nelson said. "I've been
getting ready for that, a lot of my preparation has been about
that."
The 60-year-old Nelson took a leave of absence after a Dec. 8
victory over the Chicago Bulls. It was his 939th career victory,
putting him fourth on the NBA career list.
Nelson originally planned to return to the bench in Detroit this
Sunday, but decided to rejoin the team on Friday. He moved up a
bone scan and blood test, hopped on Mavericks owner Mark Cuban's
plane, and arrived at the arena 40 minutes before tipoff.
"Once I found out that I could get that done in the morning,
the toughest part was getting here," Nelson said.
Nelson announced last week that he has cancer. He went to Salt
Lake City last weekend and met with doctors from the Huntsman
Cancer Institute at the University of Utah.
Assistant Del Harris coached Dallas during Nelson's absence and
will be at the helm during the extended absence after surgery.
Point guard Steve Nash thought the team benefitted from Nelson's
return.
"Nellie definitely gives us a lift," said Nash, who had 18
points and 13 assists. "Not to take anything away from Del but
Nellie's presence was definitely felt."
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