DALLAS _ When the American Airlines Center announcer bellowed Dirk Nowitzki's name as a starter before the Mavericks faced the Spurs on Tuesday night, fans let out the loudest cheer of the pregame introductions, sensing a special opportunity.
After all, every Nowitzki appearance in the arena is now important, as the 40-year-old has less than a month left in what could be his final NBA season.
But in the ensuing moments, Mavericks fans had to wonder whether Tuesday night's appearance could be especially prominent. Nowitzki scored eight points in the first six minutes of the game, moving him 27 points from passing Wilt Chamberlain for sixth on the NBA's all-time scoring leaders list.
The 21-year veteran didn't score again, but the early burst provided a glimpse of excitement in what eventually became a 112-105 loss, Mavericks' sixth straight and 12th in their last 14 games.
While the Mavericks have looked toward the future since early February, when the franchise traded every starter aside from rookie Luka Doncic for Kristaps Porzingis and several role players they hope will form a playoff- and championship-contending core, Nowitzki's scoring spurt, and his pursuit of another milestone, offered another reminder of what's left to aim for and appreciate this season.
Before the game, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich lauded Nowitzki's impact, especially as a trailblazer for international players, including teammates Doncic and Porzingis.
"Dirk is a spectacular example of a competitor on the court but a great human being all at the same time," Popovich said. "He competed with a ferocity. He loved winning. He hated losing. But he's classy in the sense that he knew how to do both."
By the time Nowitzki faces Popovich again in the season finale April 10 in San Antonio _ perhaps the final contest in Nowitzki's career _ the German superstar likely will have surpassed Chamberlain's scoring mark (31,419 points).
Though his 5.7 average points per game entering Tuesday fall well below his career norm, Nowitzki has said his mobility and comfortability has improved in recent weeks.
Plus, he's scored 29 points in his last three outings, a rate that puts him on pace to accomplish the feat March 18 against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Another treat for Mavericks fans in Dallas.
