Dirk Nowitzki officially announced his retirement from basketball following the Dallas Mavericks’ final home affair of the season Tuesday night. The 14-time All-Star thanked Dallas for standing by him over his 21-year-career in his send-off at the Mavs' American Airlines Center.
Dirk Nowitzki makes it official – he's retiring. Anyone who saw him play this season knew we were heading toward this, but it's still so emotional. A forever class act. pic.twitter.com/O1L16VUA98
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 10, 2019
Nowitzki, 40, has turned in one of the most remarkable NBA tenures the game has ever seen. He is sixth on the all-time scoring list, accompanied by a league MVP and championship.
In what was a storybook conclusion, to say the least, Dirk posted 30 points, eight rebounds, and a block in his final home game — but admitted Jamal Crawford “stole the show” with his 51-point performance on 18-of-30 shooting off the bench for the Suns.
Crawford stands alongside Dirk and Vince Carter (42) as the oldest active players in 2018-19.
In perhaps his final game as well, the 39-year-old shooting guard became the oldest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game, as well as the first player in league history to have a 50-point game with four different franchises.
Crawford, a league journeyman, has brandished his scoring ability and superior ball handling for the entirety of his career — and he did, in fact, steal the show Tuesday night.
That being said, Dirk Nowitzki will step away from his remarkable career a legend — averaging 20.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in 1,520 games played with the Mavs.