Mar 7, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) celebrates with guard Yogi Ferrell (11) and forward Nerlens Noel (3) after scoring his 30,000th point during the second quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at American Airlines Center. Photo Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki joined a group of NBA immortals when he topped the 30,000-point plateau for his career early in the second quarter Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Needing 20 points entering the night to hit the milestone, Nowitzki scored 18 points in the first quarter alone — well above his season average of 13.6. The 38-year-old German veteran then shot a baseline jumper over the Lakers’ Larry Nance Jr. just 1:02 into the second quarter to settle on 30,000.
Nowitzki became the third player in league history to score 30,000 points with one franchise, joining Karl Malone (Utah Jazz) and Kobe Bryant (Lakers). Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (38,387), Malone (36,928), Bryant (33,643), Michael Jordan (32,292) and Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) are the only players in NBA history with more career points than Nowitzki.
Julius Erving scored a combined 30,026 points between the NBA and the ABA.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement that read: “Congratulations to Dirk Nowitzki on joining the NBA’s most exclusive 30,000-point club. Throughout his 19 seasons with the Mavericks, Dirk has been a model player and terrific ambassador for our game. This latest accomplishment further establishes his legacy as one of the NBA’s greatest players.”
Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James said in a social media post: “I’ve gotta congratulate Dirk Nowitzki on putting up 30,000 points. I’m watching the game right now. The big fella, congratulations, boy, on that big 30,000. Woo! And he on fire, too. Very efficient tonight. There was no way I was missing this moment. That’s big time, man. Congratulations. …
“Hopefully I can join you at some point, big fella. Salute.”
