Dirk passes Shaq for 6th on all-time scoring list
NEW YORK — Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki knocked another legend down a spot on the all-time scoring list.
Nowitzki moved past Shaquille O’Neal as the No. 6 scorer in NBA history Wednesday night against the Brooklyn Nets.
Nowitzki entered the night needing 10 points to pass O’Neal, who finished his career with 28,596 points. Nowitzki passed O’Neal by hitting a midrange jumper over Andrea Bargnani with 9:51 remaining in the second quarter.
“He’s probably the most dominant big man to ever play this game, so it’s kind of surreal that I’m up there amongst these all-time greats,” Nowitzki said earlier this week. “For a kid leaving Germany originally over 18 years ago, we didn’t know what to expect. It’s been an amazing ride.”
Wilt Chamberlain is fifth on the all-time scoring list with 31,419 points, which could be within the 37-year-old Nowitzki’s reach if he opts to play another season after his current contract expires following the 2016-17 campaign.
This is the second straight season Nowitzki has moved up the scoring list during his annual visit to the Barclays Center. He passed Moses Malone for seventh during last season’s stop in Brooklyn.
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