Dirk Nowitzki's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Dirk Nowitzki.

Dirk Nowitzki, a retired German professional basketball player and current special advisor for the Dallas Mavericks, is celebrated as one of the greatest power forwards in NBA history and the greatest European player ever. Standing at 7 ft 0 in, Nowitzki's illustrious career earned him a spot on the NBA 75th Anniversary Team in 2021. His achievements were further recognized with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1996: Averaged 19.4 points per game

In the 1996–97 Second Bundesliga season, Dirk Nowitzki averaged 19.4 points per game and led DJK again to second place after the regular season.

2000: Improved Averages

In the 2000–01 NBA season, Dirk Nowitzki further improved his averages, recording 21.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game.

November 2002: Western Conference Players of the Month

In November 2002, Finley, Nash and Nowitzki were voted "Western Conference Players of the Month".

2002: Won Bronze Medal in FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Dirk Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a bronze medal in the FIBA World Championship. He was also the leading scorer and MVP of the tournament.

2002: Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year

In 2002, Nowitzki was named the Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year by Gazzetta dello Sport.

2002: Leading Scorer and MVP of FIBA World Championship

In 2002, Nowitzki was the leading scorer and MVP of the FIBA World Championship.

2003: NBA Playoffs

In 2003, Nowitzki led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 60–22 record. The Mavericks had to play sixth seed Portland Trail Blazers in the 2003 NBA Playoffs. Nowitzki delivered a clutch performance in Game 7 against the Kings, scoring 30 points, grabbing 19 rebounds. However, in the Western Conference Finals, Nowitzki suffered a knee injury after a collision with Manu Ginóbili, forcing him out of the series and the Mavericks ultimately lost in six games.

December 2, 2004: Career High Score

On December 2, 2004, Nowitzki scored 53 points in an overtime win against the Houston Rockets, marking a career-best for him.

2004: All-NBA First Team

In 2004, Nowitzki was voted to the All-NBA First Team for the first time.

2005: Won Silver Medal in EuroBasket

In 2005, Dirk Nowitzki led the Germany national team to a silver medal in EuroBasket. He was the leading scorer and MVP of the tournament.

2005: Mister Europa & FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year

In 2005, Nowitzki was named the Mister Europa European Player of the Year by Superbasket and the FIBA Europe Men's Player of the Year.

2005: MVP of EuroBasket 2005 Tournament

In 2005, Nowitzki was the MVP of the EuroBasket tournament.

2006: Three-Point Contest Win

During the 2006 All-Star Weekend in Houston, Nowitzki scored 18 points to defeat Ray Allen and Gilbert Arenas in the Three-Point Contest.

2006: Led Mavericks to first NBA Finals Appearance

In 2006, Dirk Nowitzki led the Dallas Mavericks to their first NBA Finals appearance.

2006: Playoff Performance and Finals Appearance

In 2006, Nowitzki lead the Mavericks to a 60-win season, averaging 27.0 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 2.9 assists in the playoffs. The Mavericks swept the Memphis Grizzlies, defeated the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns to advance to the 2006 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat.

2006: Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year

In 2006, Nowitzki was named the Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year by Gazzetta dello Sport.

2006: Won NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest

In 2006, Nowitzki won the NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest. During the 2006-07 season, he also became the fifth member of the NBA's 50-40-90 Club, achieving exceptional shooting percentages.

2006: NBA season

In the 2006–07 season, Nowitzki shot a career-best 50.2% from the field and led the Mavericks to a franchise-high 67 wins and the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference in the 2007 NBA Playoffs.

2007: Won NBA Most Valuable Player Award

In 2007, Dirk Nowitzki won the NBA Most Valuable Player Award.

2007: MVP Award and Playoff Loss

In 2007, Nowitzki was named the NBA's regular-season Most Valuable Player, becoming the first European player in NBA history to receive the honor. However, the Mavericks lost to the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs.

February 6, 2008: First Career Triple-Double

On February 6, 2008, Nowitzki recorded his first career triple-double against the Milwaukee Bucks, with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and a career-high 12 assists.

March 8, 2008: All-Time Career Points Leader

On March 8, 2008, Nowitzki surpassed Rolando Blackman to become the Mavericks' all-time career points leader, scoring his 16,644th point against the New Jersey Nets.

2009: All-NBA First Team Selection

In the 2008-2009 NBA Season, Nowitzki garnered his fourth All-NBA First Team selection and made the 2009 All-Star game. He led Dallas to an upset win over long-time rival San Antonio (the third seed), winning the first-round series, 4–1. The Mavericks, however, fell short against the Denver Nuggets, 4–1, in the second round.

January 13, 2010: 20,000-Point Milestone

On January 13, 2010, Nowitzki became the 34th player in NBA history—and the first European—to hit the 20,000-point milestone.

2010: All-Star Selection

Prior to the 2010–11 season, the Mavericks traded for center Tyson Chandler. Despite missing nine games during the season, Nowitzki was selected to the All-Star Game for the tenth time in 2010.

2011: Won NBA Championship and Finals MVP

In 2011, Dirk Nowitzki led the Mavericks to their only NBA championship and won the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.

2011: NBA Finals MVP

In 2011, Nowitzki was named MVP of the NBA Finals.

2011: Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year

In 2011, Nowitzki was named the Euroscar European Basketball Player of the Year by Gazzetta dello Sport.

December 10, 2012: Received Naismith Legacy Award

On December 10, 2012, Dirk Nowitzki became the first non-American player to receive the Naismith Legacy Award, recognizing his contributions to basketball.

2017: NBA Teammate of the Year Award

In 2017, Nowitzki was voted NBA Teammate of the Year.

October 30, 2019: Nowitzki Way

On October 30, 2019, the Dallas City Council unanimously voted to rename part of Olive Street as Nowitzki Way, near the American Airlines Center.

December 2019: Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany

In December 2019, Nowitzki received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany from Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, recognizing his social commitment.

2020: FIBA EuroBasket 2000-2020 Dream Team

In 2020, Nowitzki was named to the FIBA EuroBasket 2000–2020 Dream Team.

2021: Selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

In 2021, Dirk Nowitzki was selected to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, recognizing his contributions to basketball.

January 5, 2022: Mavericks Retired Number 41

On January 5, 2022, the Mavericks retired Nowitzki's number 41. Additionally, Mark Cuban unveiled plans for a statue of Nowitzki to be installed outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The statue was unveiled on Christmas Day later that year.

September 2022: Number Retired by German National Team

In September 2022, Dirk Nowitzki became the first German men's player to have his number retired, a testament to his contributions to German basketball.

September 2022: Jersey Retirement Ceremony

In September 2022, the German Basketball Federation (DBB) honored Nowitzki by retiring his jersey (number 14) before EuroBasket 2022. The ceremony took place on September 2, before Germany's game against France in Cologne. The DBB also announced that a replica of Nowitzki's national team jersey would be displayed at all future Germany men's home games.

2022: Named One of NBA's 75 Greatest Players

In 2022, The Athletic commemorated the NBA's 75th Anniversary by ranking their top 75 players of all time, naming Nowitzki as the 21st greatest player in NBA history.