Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki moving up all-time leaderboards

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki dropped 15 points on Feb. 23 against the Jazz, and it sparked thoughts of his place in the history books.

The Dallas Mavericks and Dirk Nowitzki will forever be linked. Dirk is the Mavs franchise player. He is in his 21st consecutive season with the team which is an NBA record. Nowitzki is definitely the franchise GOAT.

The Mavericks traveled to Utah to face the Jazz on Saturday evening, and it quickly became a special night. Dirk got his first start of the season and dropped 15 points in the Mavs 125-109 loss. The legend also hit three 3-pointers in his best game this season.

No word yet on Nowitzki’s retirement decision, but the performance sparked thoughts of where Dirk will end up in the all-time scoring lists. Let us take a closer look at his position.

Points leaderboard

Dirk Nowitzki is currently seventh on the all-time points scored list with 31,328. He needs 92 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain to move up to sixth.

The Mavericks have 23 games remaining including two back-to-back sets. If Dirk plays in all 23, he needs just four points per game to pass Wilt. For context, Nowitzki is averaging 5.0 points per game this season. As long as the legend stays healthy, Dirk will pass Wilt this season.

Nowitzki is unlikely to pass anyone else in points scored, though. LeBron is currently fifth and only expanding his lead. Michael Jordan is fourth, but Dirk is 964 points beyond. If Nowitzki averaged 10 points every game, he would need to play almost all 82 games next season to pass MJ.

3-pointers made charts

Points often get the publicity, but Dirk is nearing the top of the career 3-pointers made list as well. Nowitzki has 1,946 which currently sits him 11th with room to move up the list. Dirk needs 33 to pass Joe Johnson for tenth position and 43 to overtake Jason Kidd for ninth.

Nowitzki is averaging one 3-pointer made per game on the season. He will need to up his production to surpass Johnson and Kidd this year.

Most free throws made

Dirk Nowitzki is also sixth in career free throws made with 7,212. He is 116 away from passing Michael Jordan for fifth, though. Nowitzki is making just 0.8 free throws per game on the year making him virtually locked into his position to end this season.

Final thoughts

Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki continues his climb in the all-time record books. He has been a star for so many seasons, that it is strange seeing him play under 12 minutes per game this year. Mavs fans should enjoy any chance they have left to see Nowitzki in uniform, though.

Dirk’s retirement will be a hot topic of discussion during the final 23 games this season. He is not likely to make it official until the games are complete either way. Hopefully, Nowitzki gives us one more season. Time will tell what the legend decides to do.