After a historic career which spanned 21 seasons with the same club, Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki is ready to hang them up for good.
Nowitzki played his final home game last night against the Phoenix Suns and was visibly emotional throughout the evening. Nowitzki posted 30 points and 8 rebounds, going down as the oldest player to put up 30 points at the age of 40 years old. Following the matchup, Nowitzki informed the American Airlines Center crowd that it would be his final home game.
Dirk Nowitzki just announced tonight was indeed his final home game with the Mavs ? pic.twitter.com/R71Yn73lbR
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) April 10, 2019
The Athletic’s Shams Charania confirmed that Nowitzki will be calling it a career after this season. The Mavericks have one game remaining on their schedule against the Spurs in San Antonio.
Dirk Nowitzki says he is indeed retiring. Twenty-one seasons with the Dallas Mavericks. Future Hall of Famer. What a career.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 10, 2019
While it wasn’t confirmed prior to the game that it would be Dirk Nowitzki’s final home game, there were already rumblings that the German 7-footer planned to retire. Owner Mark Cuban predicted this to be Nowitzki’s final season back in February.
An end of an era for the Dallas Mavericks and the NBA in general, the game will surely miss Dirk Nowitzki and all he brought to the league. In a league today littered with stretch bigs, Nowitzki was one of the first of his kind, as his ability to stretch out to the three-point line at that height set the precedent for today’s modern big man.
Not only was Nowitzki a pioneer, but he also enjoyed immense success during his two decades in the league. Nowitzki led Dallas to two NBA Finals appearances and took home the championship hardware in 2011 when they beat LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Nowitzki was awarded the series’ most valuable player award. With one game left to play, Nowitzki carries averages of 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds over his 21-year playing career.
