"This is what the Dallas Mavericks missed when small forward Peja Stojakovic was sidelined for six games with a stiff neck.

In his first game back from the injury Sunday against the Golden State Warriors, Stojakovic showed off his superior shooting arm by tallying 17 points in only 19 minutes. The 13-year veteran was 6-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the three-point arc.

From the Mavs' standpoint, it was a wonderful sight to see.

"For him to be able to come back with no practice under his belt and shoot the way he does makes you understand why he's one of the all-time great three-point shooters,'' center Tyson Chandler said. "And the way he's spacing the floor is great for our offense, because guys can't sag off of him.

"And when guys are able to penetrate he's always in the right spot to line it up.''

Stojakovic lined up a lot of shots against the Warriors and knocked them down like they were bowling pins. During one 67-second span in the second quarter, Stojakovic drilled three consecutive three-point field goals which increased a 31-23 Mavs lead to 40-23.

"Peja was big for us,'' guard Jason Terry said. "Obviously we know what he means by stretching the floor offensively with the jumpers, and it's a much-needed weapon.

"You need as many shooters as you can have. As you know in a playoff series different guys are going to be called upon, and (Sunday) we know we can rely on a guy like Stojakovic who is a veteran who has that playoff savvy experience.''

Stojakovic signed with the Mavs on Jan. 24, but sat out his first seven games while battling a sore knee. He then played 13 games before neck and back problems surfaced."