NEW ORLEANS – Dallas Mavericks center Tyson Chandler left Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a left knee injury but returned in the fourth quarter after X-rays were negative.

Chandler exited the game with 7:33 remaining in the third quarter. He went down during a defensive possession after banging knees with Pelicans star Anthony Davis and needed assistance to leave the floor. Chandler put no pressure on his left leg as he left the floor.

"We’re very fortunate," coach Rick Carlisle said. "He banged knees and the fact he’s able to come back was huge. It’s a sigh of relief that he’s OK. At least he appears to be OK."

Chandler, a 14-year veteran who was a critical piece of the Mavs’ 2011 title run and returned to Dallas this summer in a trade, is having one of the best seasons of his career. He is averaging 10.7 points, ranks fourth in the NBA with 12.2 rebounds per game and serves as Dallas’ defensive anchor.