--G Jerry Stackhouse two weeks ago said that he'd be out of action indefinitely to rehab his sore right heel. He said it one day after he was upset about being inactive at New York.

He also announced that day that he wants to be traded to a team where he can play a more expanded role than the one coach Rick Carlisle has expressed Stackhouse will get in Dallas.

Stackhouse did not travel with the team on its brief, two-game trip to Los Angeles and Sacramento.

"He had a treatment for his foot that requires he stay off his feet for a couple of days," Carlisle said.

With Gerald Green struggling to extend his minutes, it remains to be seen if Stackhouse can revive a larger role when he becomes healthy. In eight games, Stackhouse averaged 5.3 points and shot 29.1 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from the 3-point arc.

--F Dirk Nowitzki said he doesn't agree with critics who say Jason Kidd has lost a step, especially on defense. After playing with him since last February, Nowitzki says Kidd's instincts and reaction remain sharp.

"He's still quick on his feet, he has great hands," Nowitzki said. "You know how many strips he gets a game?"

Entering Saturday's game at Sacramento, Kidd, 35, ranked second in the league in steals (2.5), behind only Chris Paul (2.8). Kidd had two more steals against the Kings, giving him two or more in 13 of 16 games.

--G Antoine Wright said coach Rick Carlisle told players early on that because of the team's depth, minutes will fluctuate, and if you don't play, don't take it personally.

Carlisle continues to mix and match depending on injuries and matchups, and Wright, who scored 38 points in the previous two games, found himself on the floor in Sacramento on Saturday for just 14 minutes. However, Wright had to leave the game with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.

Wright scored just two points on free throws and missed all four field-goal attempts. As long as Josh Howard remains out, and now possibly Wright, the lineup will be even more turbulent than it already was.

Wright started the past two games at small forward in place of Howard. Once Howard returns, the shooting guard spot will be up for grabs, as it has been all season, between Wright, Green and Devean George, who is now healthy and logged 27 minutes and scored 13 points against the Kings.

MEDICAL WATCH:

--G/F Jerry Stackhouse (right heel) is out indefinitely.

--F Josh Howard (left ankle) missed his fifth consecutive game Saturday. He remains day-to-day.

--G Antoine Wright left Saturday's game with an undisclosed injury. His status was unclear.