Dirk Nowitzki confirms he's coming back for a 21st NBA season

BarDown Staff

Dirk Nowitzki , Bilgin Sasmaz/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Dirk Nowitzki is one of the greatest players to ever suit up in the NBA and is hands down the greatest European-born player to ever compete in the league. The soon-to-be 40-year-old has evolved into the face of the Dallas Mavericks over the course of his 20-year career and he’s not done yet.

Ahead of the Mavs’ season finale on Tuesday night, the 13-time NBA All-Star was asked about his future in the NBA and his answer will make basketball fans across the globe very happy.

Dirk Nowitzki on next season: "I'm planning on coming back." He said that's why he got the ankle surgery now.
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 10, 2018

While most fans thought his late-season injury would be enough to turn him away from returning next season, it turns out the surgery was actually a good sign as Disco Dirk plans on playing his 21st season next year.

@swish41 is coming back. The best in Dallas history. Ridiculous amount of respect for this dude. pic.twitter.com/y4QCXktvtY
— Michael Young (@MikeyY626) April 10, 2018

Nowitzki owns just about every single Dallas Mavericks franchise record, but when he hits the court next season he’ll set a new NBA record for the most seasons spent with a single team (21), surpassing the previous record set by Kobe Bryant (20). Aside from owning just about every Mavs record, Nowitzki sits sixth all-time in career points (31,187) and has a chance to pass both Wilt Chamberlain (31,419) and Michael Jordan (32,292) next season depending on how much action he sees throughout the season.

(H/T Twitter/espn_macmahon)