DALLAS -- The Mavericks have yet to receive definitive word on Devin Harris' injury to his troublesome left foot, but they are bracing for the point guard to miss extended time, ensuring that Seth Curry will have a significant role to start the regular season.
Harris, who was limited during training camp while recovering from his second major surgery on a toe in his left foot, injured the foot again when the orthotic in his shoe broke during Dallas' final preseason game. He was being medically evaluated during Monday's practice, and coach Rick Carlisle said Harris is "very doubtful" for Wednesday's regular-season opener against the Indiana Pacers.
Curry, who signed a two-year, $5.9 million contract with Dallas in July, might have been in the Mavs' rotation regardless after leading the team in preseason scoring with 10.7 points per game. Harris' injury provides more opportunity for Curry, the son of longtime NBA sharpshooter Dell and younger brother of two-time MVP Stephen Curry.
"I feel he's an improving defender, and offensively he can cause a lot of problems for the defense," Carlisle said. "He can shoot, he can drive it, he can make plays and has vision of the floor. There was no doubt he was going to figure into this season prominently in some form or fashion. Pending Devin's situation, we're going to really need him."
This represents the best chance for Curry, 26, to prove that he can be a reliable NBA rotation player. He has played a total of 48 games in brief stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings, with the vast majority of his action coming last season in Sacramento.
Curry played sporadically for the Kings until late in the season. He scored in double figures in 10 of his last 11 games, including four 20-point performances, and averaged 16.4 points and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 48.9 percent from 3-point range in April.
"I always had that confidence every time I stepped on the floor," Curry said. "Even last year when I was getting limited minutes, I felt like I could contribute and help the team win. I feel like I've gotten better over the past couple of years, and I feel pretty good heading into this season and being able to contribute. ... I'm going to try to come in and be aggressive with my minutes and be somebody that coach can trust on the floor."