When an NBA team is about to play a momentous game, even in the regular season, it isn't uncommon for their legends to come and lend support from the stands. It's a bit rarer, however, for somebody else's legend to come to your building to do so,

Nowitzki, the most beloved player in Mavericks franchise history, traveled to Los Angeles to watch Dončić make his debut with the Lakers.

Luka Doncic was supposed to be the face of the Dallas Mavericks for at least another decade. Now he’s a Los Angeles Laker. The news broke just around midnight Saturday on the east coast, and NBA fans were so stunned that Dallas would trade it’s superstar most believed Shams Charania had been hacked when he reported the deal.

Nowitzki found himself seated next to Doncic’s father, Sasa, as the Lakers took on the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena. Nowitzki took to X/Twitter Monday evening to let Dallas fans know he’s still a “Mav for life,” but wanted to support Luka Doncic in the first game of his new chapter.

It's a bit rarer, however, for somebody else's legend to come to your building to do so, and it's nearly unheard of for someone else's legend to come to your building to do so when he was a major rival of yours during his own playing days and remains employed by his former team.

Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was in attendance for Luka Doncic's Los Angeles Lakers debut on Monday night. While Nowitzki sent a literal message

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the lowly Utah Jazz on Monday, securing their 32nd win of the 2024-25 season.  More Lakers: Watch Luka Doncic First Basket as Me

Trading franchise player, Luka Doncic and at that point, any name inserted in that [for] slot would be rejected immediately. Let’s be honest, it’s not like the Mavs shipped Luka out and got a bag of Doritos in return.

Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki will be in attendance for Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic's debut against the Utah Jazz.

Dallas Mavericks legend and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki was just as shocked as fans, pundits and NBA players when his former team stunningly dealt five-time All-Star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in a blockbuster deal ahead of the trade deadline earlier in February.