DALLAS (AP) Dirk Nowitzki cried near midcourt when the second quarter was about to resume.
The Dallas Mavericks star nearly jumped for joy with a huge smile on his face after a rare dunk prompted thunderous applause from a crowd celebrating the final home game of his record 21st season with the same franchise.
And then after Larry Bird joked during a postgame ceremony that he was 15 when Dirk came into the league and now Im 62, Nowitzki let fly with a realization the 40-year-old said he reached in recent days.
Its time for the most accomplished European player in NBA history to retire after scoring a season-high 30 points in a 120-109 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
As you guys might expect, this is my last home game, Nowitzki said, doing a better job of fighting his emotions than he did at the end of a timeout in the second quarter, after a tribute video showing his holiday visit to a childrens hospital a little more than two years ago.
This is obviously super, super emotional. Just too many people to really thank. I put you guys on a helluva ride with a lot of ups and downs, and you guys always stuck with me and supported me, so I appreciate it.
Nowitzki never shared his retirement plans because he didnt want a farewell tour, but he also said he only began serious deliberations on retirement when his lower body gave him issues late in the season.
The 14-time All-Star got the farewell treatment on the road anyway, with opposing fans chanting We want Dirk and giving him standing ovations, and LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers stopping a game, grabbing a public address microphone and honoring Nowitzki.
It should happen again Wednesday night in San Antonio, Dallas season finale. Nowitzki said he gave almost all he had in the final home game but wanted to put a few more jumpers against probably the biggest rival of his career.
Just as owner Mark Cuban hinted, the final home game trumped all those road shows. Tribute videos before, during and after the game. Shots of former teammates on the video board. A large collection of Dallas Cowboys, including stars Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, in a suite.
Nowitzki wondered why the postgame video included him talking about the players he idolized growing up in Germany. Then he saw Charles Barkley on the court. And Bird. Scottie Pippen. Shawn Kemp. Detlef Schrempf, the notable countryman to come before him in the NBA.
The only guy that was missing was MJ, Nowitzki said, referring to Michael Jordan the player he passed to become the oldest to score at least 30 in a game. That was my No. 1. They brought Larry Legend. I mean, its, that was an emotional moment when I saw all five of them and I was in shock really.
Nowitzki went out firing, hoisting 31 shots the most since he was in prime and gearing up to lead the only championship in franchise history early in the 2010-11 season. He made 11, was 5 of 14 from 3-point range, grabbed eight rebounds and matched a season high with three assists.
The final bucket at home of his likely Hall of Fame career was his signature one-legged fadeaway from just above the free throw line yes, there was a tribute video for that too, starring Kevin Durant and LeBron James.
That shot had a practical purpose as well, pushing the Dallas lead back to 12 after the Mavericks let a 30-point halftime cushion dwindle to four in the fourth quarter.
