Some fallout from the China trip has begun as the Mavericks were shorthanded at Thursday's practice because of a nasty bug that is making the rounds on the team.

Players Ryan Broekhoff and Kostas Antetokounmpo, plus several staffers, missed the workout. Assistant coach Stephen Silas also was out, as was assistant athletic trainer Dionne Calhoun. In addition, four or five other members of the traveling party to China have come up ill.

"We're going to hope those guys are better tomorrow," coach Rick Carlisle said. "If they're not, we'll play with the guys we got and go from there.

"We're all trying to avoid. Everybody's washing their hands a lot and using a lot of that clear squirt (stuff) that you put on your hands to keep your hands clean. You just got to do what you can."

The Mavericks have their final preseason game Friday (6 p.m.) against Charlotte. The regular season opens Wednesday at Phoenix.

Incidentally, recent history suggests that teams that play in China have to be wary of the impact of the long trip for two preseason games. Last year, Minnesota started the season 2-3 and Golden State was 3-3 in the first two weeks, including two losses at home.

Carlisle said the Mavericks continues to make plans if forward Harrison Barnes (right hamstring) cannot play in the opener. The injury likely means a much larger role for third-year forward Dorian Finney-Smith.

"We'll see how all this goes with Barnes' situation, but if Barnes can't go in the first game or two or three or whatever it is, Dorian becomes an even bigger key for us," Carlisle said.

In addition, Dirk Nowitzki (foot, ankle) is not expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. Carlisle said an update will come on Nowitzki's status on Friday.