The Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki knocked down his first two jumpers during a Monday night match-up against the New Orleans Pelicans to pass Wilt Chamberlain for the No 6 spot on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
Congrats @swish41! #GOAT #6 #MFFL pic.twitter.com/3Afw1OIIzf
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) March 19, 2019
Nowitzki hit the milestone early in the first quarter, making a 20-footer with 8:35 remaining in front of a sellout crowd at Dallas that was mostly on its feet in anticipation of the moment.
NBA All-Time scoring leaders
- Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – 38,387 points
- Karl Malone – 36,928 points
- Kobe Bryant – 33,643 points
- LeBron James – 32,439 points
- Michael Jordan – 32,292 points
- Dirk Nowitzki – 31,424 points
- Wilt Chamberlain – 31,419 points
“I felt good in warmups, made some shots,” Nowitzki said postgame on Fox Sports Southwest. “I was messing around with the guys and figured I’m going to get some good looks early. Obviously I didn’t know my first two were going to go in right away.
“The second one, I kind of faced up and said it’s now or never. Shot it up high, and it went in. It was fun. It was good to be out there, and the crowd was great.”
He entered the game needing four points to pass Chamberlain, who scored 31,419 career points and now has 31,424. Nowitzki spent several years as the sixth-leading scorer in NBA history before LeBron James passed him, Chamberlain and Michael Jordan earlier this season.
Dirk passes Wilt for 6th on the all-time scoring list with his signature one-legged fadeaway.#Dallas #Mavericks #NBA pic.twitter.com/G3Q7FLaRmN
— West Michigan Nation (@wmnation) March 19, 2019
Nowitzki finished the game with eight points, all in the first half, in the Mavericks’ 129-125 overtime loss.
“It’s been building up the whole season, and I’m just glad it’s over with,” Nowitzki said.
Encerrado/OT:
— NBA do Povo 🏀🇧🇷 (@NBAdoPovo) March 19, 2019
Dallas Mavericks(28-42) 125 x 129 (31-42)New Orleans Pelicans
NOP 📊
Julius Randle: 30PTS, 9REB, 4AST, 1STL E1BLK
Anthony Davis: 20PTS, 6REB, 5AST, 1STL E 1BLK
DAL 📊
Luka Doncic: 29PTS, 13REB, 10AST E 2STL
Tim Hardaway Jr: 21PTS, 6REB, 2AST, 1STL E 1BLK#NBA pic.twitter.com/wdvExAlMR1
Nowitzki, 40, has yet to make a decision on whether or not he will retire, but he has been enjoying an unofficial farewell tour throughout the season.
The 21-year veteran missed the first 26 games of the season while rehabbing after left ankle surgery. Nowitzki
Poetry in motion… @swish41 moves to No. 6 on the #NBA all-time scoring list! #MFFL pic.twitter.com/zq1TULeHCG
— NBA (@NBA) March 19, 2019
The top five all-time NBA scorers are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Karl Malone (36,928), Kobe Bryant (33,643), James (32,439) and Michael Jordan (32,292).
🏀Dallas Mavericks +11.5 1*✅ pic.twitter.com/1LaWXXi4NZ
— Beast Mode🔨 (@BeastMo02454013) March 15, 2019