Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Indiana Pacers after missing the previous five games due to a sprained MCL in his left knee.

Marion is still experiencing some soreness and stiffness in his knee but believes he's ready to return.

"I'm going to have to fight through it," Marion told reporters after the morning shootaround in Indiana. "But I'm going. I'm tired of sitting out."

The 6-foot-7 Marion averaged 8.0 points, a team-high 9.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.3 blocks during the Mavs' 3-1 start. Dallas went 2-3 without Marion, whom coach Rick Carlisle considers the team's best all-around player.

Dirk Nowitzki and Marion, a 14-year veteran, are the only players remaining on the Mavericks' roster who played a postseason minute during their 2011 title run.

Nowitzki remains sidelined while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee performed Oct. 19.