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TBT: Mavericks Top Hawks, Terry in Dirk’s First 40-Point Outing

By Jay Knodell

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TBT: Dirk Outduels Jason Terry During Shootout in Atlanta

The 2001-02 season was quite the year for the Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki. The then 23-year old made his first All-Star team and posted then career-highs in rebounds and points scored.

It was also the year Nowitzki recorded his first 40-point game, coming in a victory over Jason Terry and the Atlanta Hawks. Nowitzki’s performance in the Mavericks’ 116-107 victory is the topic of this edition of Throwback Thursday.

SETTING THE SCENE: 

The Mavericks came in to the contest with a record of 25-12, continuing to build on the franchise’s first playoff appearance in 10 seasons the year before. As you’d expect, Nowitzki was a key part of the hot start. He came in averaging 23.1 points and 9.5 rebounds while shooting 37% from three-point range.

The Hawks were not faring as well, owning a three-game losing streak and a record of 13-23. Things didn’t get any better for the Hawks as the season progressed either and they would finish 33-49. But they did possess some young talent, including second-year guard Jason Terry.

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WHAT HAPPENED:

Speaking of JET, he was just as good as Dirk in this one. He poured in a game-high 46 points on 15-23 shooting and hit 13 of his 17 free throws in 45 minutes.

He and Dirk both had it going early on, with Nowitzki leading the way with 15 points in the first quarter and Terry hot on his heels with 14 of Atlanta’s 23. Dirk’s young legs were on display when he ran the court for a lefty layup in transition but did most of his damage from the perimeter.

He would end up taking 15 three-pointers in the game, hitting six of them.

And if we’re talking quick, we’ve got to mention Terry. Just ask Johnny Newman, Tim Hardaway and Steve Nash, victims of Terry’s ability to change his direction on a dime and open floor speed all night long.

He had more points at halftime (30) than the rest of the Hawks combined (27), and Atlanta headed into the locker room with a 57-55 lead. Dirk had 24 for the Mavericks in the first half.

If you’re doing the math at home you already know neither player matched their first half output in the final 24 minutes, and with the Mavericks taking control of the game in the fourth quarter it wasn’t quite a classic, down to the wire shootout.

But it was a shootout nonetheless, and still wildly entertaining. Relive it for yourself below:

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