G Wesley Matthews, coming back from a torn Achilles tendon in March, started the season opener with his new team. "He's a remarkable guy who is extremely strong willed and when he puts his mind and focus on something he just fixates on it," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "He wanted to prove to people he could get back and start the season.""He's a remarkable guy who is extremely strong willed and when he puts his mind and focus on something he just fixates on it," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "He wanted to prove to people he could get back and start the season."

Matthews (Achilles) went through contact drills at Monday's practice, Dwain Price of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

It was Matthews' first time taking contact since undergoing surgery back in mid-March. While the shooting guard, himself, has maintained that he expects to be ready for opening night, the Mavs have been a little less optimistic, with Rick Carlisle saying last month that an opening night return would be a "long shot." Either way, his return to contact practice is certainly a step in the right direction, and if he's not ready to begin the season, Matthews is unlikely to miss much time.

Matthews (Achilles) will not play in Tuesday's preseason opener, Earl Sneed of Mavs.com reports.

As expected, Matthews will remain out as he continues to work back from a torn Achilles. While Matthews has maintained that being ready for opening night is a realistic goal, coach Rick Carlisle has been less optimistic, though he has not ruled out the possibility.

Coach Rick Carlisle called Matthews a "longshot" to play on opening night, but he did not officially rule out the possibility, Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News reports.

As was the case at Monday's media day, conflicting reports regarding Matthews' timetable continue to float around. Matthews, himself, remains confident that he'll be ready for opening night, but the general consensus around the franchise seems to be that sometime in November or December is a bit more realistic. On Monday, Carlisle threw out "Christmas" as a potential return date, but Tuesday's comments suggest that Matthews will likely be back sooner. Matthews, who is coming off of an Achilles tear, was held out of contact work Tuesday, but he reportedly had a good day in other drills.

Matthews (Achilles) could return as soon as late-December, Brad Townsend of the Dallas Morning News reports.

Matthews tore his Achilles in early-March, but the injury did not deter the Mavericks from inking him to a four-year deal this offseason. While he appears to be ahead of schedule, Matthews will miss at least the first two months of the season, with Christmas being thrown out as a potential target return date by coach Rick Carlisle.

Matthews (Achilles) will not be available at the start of training camp, ESPN Dallas reports.

Matthews is making his way back from a torn Achilles suffered in March of last season. He will be brought along gradually to insure he's 100 percent when he resumes playing. Matthews continues to express optimism about his availability for the regular season but it appears the Mavericks will exhibit caution here.

Matthews believes he'll be ready for the start of the season, Bobby Karalla of Mavs.com reports.

Matthews tore his left Achilles tendon back in March and a return for the start of the season come this October could be a bit optimistic even though he sounds adamant about his recovery timetable. Even if he is ready for the opener, coach Rick Carlisle has already expressed an intent to be cautious with Matthews during his inaugural season in Dallas which suggests the 28-year-old's minutes will be held in check to prevent re-aggravation of the injury, further limiting his value during the 2015-16 campaign.

Matthews (Achilles) will be cautiously handled during his first season with the Mavericks, Earl Sneed of Mavs.com reports. "He's definitely on track for a full recovery, but we're going to be erring on the side of being conservative and cautioned," coach Rick Carlisle said. "The first year is more about making sure that he's right and getting him out there on the right terms, and from there we want him to make a full recovery and continue to get better."

The Mavericks' organization wants to verify Matthews makes a full recovery to help reduce the chance of reinjury. They signed him to a four-year deal and hope he lasts the entire length of the contract. That means a cautious approach will be employed on Matthews' behalf this season, a strategy that may limit his use in back-to-back games and depress his playing time. He underwent surgery in March and shed the walking boot two months later. This news increases rookie Justin Anderson's value early in the season, especially with the lack of wing depth and Chandler Parsons (knee) recovering from knee surgery.

Matthews has agreed in principle to a four-year deal with the Mavericks, David Aldridge of TNT reports.

Despite reportedly getting a big offer from the Kings, Matthews decided late Thursday night to join the Mavericks. Matthews, who is coming off a torn Achilles, still attracted the attention of several teams on the open market. He was one of the best two-way perimeter players on the market, and it appears he'll be suiting up in a Mavericks uniform this season. TNT's David Aldridge reported that the contract amount is yet to be finalized, but it is expected to be a four-year deal.

Matthews (Achilles) was seen on the court taking jump shots, Tommy Beer of Basketball Insiders reports.

Matthews recovery from a torn Achilles was already considered ahead of schedule, and he was not expected to get on the court until August. His rapid recovery should improve his free agent stock, especially if he can prove to teams that he is fully recovered from an injury that can ruin NBA careers.

Matthews, who had the walking boot removed from his left foot this week, expects to be on the court by August, the Blazers' official site reports.

Matthews remains ahead of schedule in his recovery from a torn Achilles sustained on Mar. 5, but his upcoming unrestricted free agency will determine the next step in his career.

Matthews (Achilles) is slated to have the walking boot removed from his left foot Tuesday, The Oregonian reports. "Coming off on Tuesday, that's the plan," he said. "It's ahead of schedule, and I'm excited for that, definitely."

During his time as a guest analyst on NBA-TV on Saturday, Matthews announced the news and relayed that his rehabilitation is going well, which is evident considering he's ahead of schedule. As an upcoming unrestricted free agent, he could find himself in different climes than Portland, but there's little question that his recovery will impede his ability to take the court on opening night.

Matthews underwent successful surgery on his torn Achilles Tendon on Wednesday.

Matthews will now begin the recovery process, which will take some time, and keep him out for the remainder of this season. He will be a free agent this summer, so it remains to be seen both when he will be ready to play again, and where he will be playing next season and beyond.

Matthews tore his left Achilles tendon Thursday and will be out for the remainder of the season, Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

This is a huge blow for fantasy owners. Mathews was one of the best three-point shooters this season, making 39.1 percent of his shots from beyond the arc, and averaging 16.1 points per game. With Matthews out, Arron Afflalo will likely becoming the starting shooting guard.

Matthews exited Thursday's game in the third quarter with a left foot injury and will not return, according to TNT's broadcast.

Matthews fell to the floor on a drive early in the second half and immediately clutched his left foot/ankle area. TNT reporter Rebecca Haarlow reported that Matthews was in a lot of pain in the locker room and punched a wall in frustration. The initial reports do not sound good for Matthews, who is a key cog in Portland's offense. More information on Matthews' status should be made available well before Portland takes the floor Saturday against Minnesota.

Matthews said Thursday that he's still bothered by pain in his right hand.

Matthews originally injured his hand Friday against the Thunder, but he hasn't missed any time, playing 33 minutes agains the Kings on Sunday and 39 minutes against the Clippers on Wednesday. However, over those last three games he's shooting only 37 percent from the field, so it's possible the hand issue is hampering his shooting ability. Of course, it's a small sample size, but Matthews' efficiency will be something to keep an eye on going forward.

Matthews posted 17 points (6-8 FG, 3-5 3Pt, 2-2 FT), four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block in 33 minutes during Sunday's win at Sacramento.

Matthews injured his right hand in the Blazers' previous game Friday against the Thunder, which translated to a heavy wrap on the hand during pregame warmups Sunday. However, the ironman played through the pain yet again, as he's done throughout his NBA career. He's knocked down multiple treys in three consecutive games en route to 18.7 points and three three-pointers per outing during that span.

Matthews went off for 31 points (11-18 FG, 4-10 3Pt, 5-7 FT) during Wednesday's win over the Spurs, to go along with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Matthews failed to hit a shot (0-7 FG, 0-4 3Pt) in Sunday's game against the Grizzlies, so it was a night and day difference for the guard, after going off for 31 points Wednesday. He's struggled with his shot lately, but if this game is any indication, he could be dialed back in and on the rise again moving forward. He's still a very solid fantasy asset, as he provides points, three-pointers, rebounds and steals. He's averaging 16.3 points, three triples, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.2 steals on the season.

Matthews had a strong showing in Wednesday's win over the Lakers, finishing with a team-high of 20 points (7-14 FG, 3-7 3Pt, 3-3 FT), to go along with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Matthews struggled to only six points on 2-of-9 shooting from the field in Sunday's game against the Rockets, so it was good to see him return to form and post a solid performance heading into the All-Star break. He continues to be a great play, as he's offering a little bit of everything including points, three-pointers, rebounds and steals. Over his last five games he's averaging 15.6 points, 2.6 treys, 4.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals, so look for him to continue with this production following the All-Star festivities.

Matthews put up 19 points (7-15 FG, 4-7 3Pt, 1-3 FT), four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in 34 minutes as the Blazers fell at Milwaukee on Saturday.

Matthews has brushed aside the Blazers' recent shooting woes, drilling at least three three-pointers in five consecutive games, and six of the past eight. During that stretch, he's averaged 18.4 points (on 41 percent shooting), 3.8 treys, 3.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 36 minutes. While he continues to hold a slim lead over Kyle Korver in terms of three-pointers made -- 148 versus 146 -- Matthews has nonetheless cobbling together the most productive season of his six-year career.