Dirk Nowitzki announced his NBA retirement during an emotional ceremony Tuesday night.
Nowitzki, 40, in a parting gift for Dallas Mavericks fans, scored 30 points in his final home game, a 120-109 win against the Phoenix Suns.
The future Hall of Famer says it “doesn’t make any sense any more” to keep hooping after 21 seasons.
Per The AP:
“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 children’s 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 didn’t 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.
“It’s been a long time coming, struggling this year with my foot,” Nowitzki said. “It just doesn’t make any sense any more physically. I think mentally I could still do it. I can always push myself to work out and work hard. But physically, the foot is just not quite there.”
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