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,

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

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.

Luka Doncic on Dirk Nowitzki attending his Lakers debut in person: “I’ve always looked up to him. A great mentor. For him to fly all the way from Dallas, it was amazing. I

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.

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.

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 Dirk Nowitzki was in attendance at Luka Dončić’s debut with the Los Angeles Lakers. The game marks a significant transition in Mavericks history, as Dončić, once considered Nowitzki’s successor in Dallas, begins a new chapter in Los Angeles.

From the moment the Dallas Mavericks acquired Luka Doncic in 2018, the comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki were inevitable.

The world was shocked when they learned that the Dallas Mavericks were going to trade Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. To this very moment, there are probably still some out there who are still trying to process the move, as it can be considered the biggest trade in sports history.