It's no secret that Dirk Nowitzki has been leaning toward returning for a 21st season next year, his health permitting.

Before Saturday's game, Carlisle was asked if he'd had any conversations with Nowitzki about next season, seeing as how this season is dwindling down.

"No, I haven't," he said. Asked if he'd have told us if he had, he said no.

However, he added: "At this point, it looks promising that he'll play another year."

Then, he added: "But it's his decision and he's got to think of everything involved. I'm personally 100-percent supportive of it because you just don't want to see a guy like this go away. So we'll see. Time will tell."

Back in December, Nowitzki told SportsDay that "it's looking like" he's leaning toward another season with the Mavs.