DALLAS, April 2 (AP) -- Dirk Nowitzki sat at his locker, with a bulging ice bag wrapped around his left ankle and a sly smile across on his face. The reigning MVP was back in the playoff race for the Dallas Mavericks -- and they got a huge victory in a game that many didn't expect him to play. Nowitzki wasn't even so sure, no matter how much he was ready to get back on the court after missing four games because of a high ankle sprain. "I didn't know if I should do it or not," Nowitzki said. But Nowitzki was back, scoring 18 points in his unexpected start Wednesday night, and the Mavericks posted a 111-86 victory over the Golden State Warriors that could have big implications in a tight Western Conference playoff race. "There was already a sense of urgency. ... And then seeing Dirk out there, it was very inspiring," said Jason Terry, who matched a season-high with 31 points. "We were very surprised to see him (start). But once we saw him out there joking and laughing and smiling, I...