NBA legend Dirk Nowitzki is preparing to play in what could be his last home game, as the Mavs are set to host the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night. And though he'll be honored for his service with the team, the German-born star says he is treating the matchup like any other game:

“I'm going into the game like it's a regular season game and then kind of be surprised by anything and everything that's going to happen,” Nowitzki told SportsDay ahead of Tuesday's game. “I’ve still got to focus on my game and the shots and enjoy competing one last time, maybe.”

If anyone is deserving of a hero's send-off, it's Nowitzki. As a fixture with the Mavs, the former no. 9 overall pick has racked up several prestigious accolades over the course of his career, including 14 All-Star selections, four All-NBA First Team nods and one championship in 2011.

Nowitzki has been a force to be reckoned with as a versatile 7-footer. Not only because of his size, but also because of his finesse. To this day, there are players who imitate his one-legged fall-away jumper.

Nowitzki, now 40 years of age, has placed himself in the same conversation as some of the all-time greats. The Wurzburg native ranks sixth in career points (31,510), third in games played (1,520), sixth in made free throws (7,235) and 12th in made 3-pointers (1,975).

Tuesday night's Mavs-Suns game is scheduled to tip inside the American Airlines Center at 8:30 p.m. ET.