Dirk Nowitzki has fallen one place in the NBA leaderboard – because Kevin Durant keeps his nerve seconds before the end. The German then congratulates.
Kevin Durant has overtaken Dirk Nowitzki in the top NBA scorer list and pushed the German record holder into seventh place. 15.2 seconds before the end of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans, Durant Nowitzki surpassed Nowitzki with a converted free throw and now has 31,562 points after a total of 18 points in the 119:110 victory of the Houston Rockets. Nowitzki recorded 31,560 points in his career.
“To be up there with Dirk, someone I looked up to, idolized and competed against – we had some great battles. He’s always supported me and my career. To be up there with a legend like him is just crazy,” Durant said. In fifth place is Michael Jordan, who scored 32,292 points. At the top is LeBron James with more than 42,700 points.
Nowitzki was prepared for Durant’s milestone and was seen with a video message on the monitors of the arena in Houston after the game in which he congratulated Durant. “It’s incredible to watch his career,” said Nowitzki, saying Durant should climb a few more spots. “For him to take the time to share this message with me shows how humble he is,” Durant said. The now 47-year-old ex-professional Nowitzki was in London and watched the Orlando Magic’s second duel with the Memphis Grizzlies in Europe.
Magic waive Moritz Wagner
In contrast to the comeback victory in Berlin on Thursday, Orlando had to admit defeat this time. At 109:126, Franz Wagner scored 14 points, Tristan da Silva scored 4 points. World champion Moritz Wagner didn’t play at all – a precautionary measure. Ja Morant was the most successful thrower for the Grizzlies with 24 points.
dpa
