DALLAS — Dirk Nowitzki vividly remembers watching Hakeem Olajuwon from his home in Germany as a teenager in the 1990s.
That's one of the reasons his latest move up the NBA scoring list was special for the 7-foot (2.14-meter) Dallas Mavericks star. Another would be the milestone coming at home when the Mavericks rallied from 24 points down to win.
Nowitzki had 23 points to surpass Olajuwon as the highest-scoring player born outside the U.S., as the Mavericks came from way behind to beat Sacramento 106-98 on Tuesday for their 21st straight regular-season win at home against the Kings.
"You know, to pass 'The Dream' is unbelievable," said the 36-year-old Nowitzki, in his 17th season with the Mavericks. "He was unguardable on the block. His footwork, his skill level, his hands, his touch was second to none, so I'm pretty proud."
Nowitzki hit a jumper from just inside the 3-point line early in the fourth quarter to pass Olajuwon at No. 9, and he finished the night at 26,953 career points. That's seven more than the 7-footer from Nigeria, who starred for 17 years in Houston before retiring in 2002 after one season in Toronto.
Next on the NBA career scoring list for Nowitzki is No. 8 Elvin Hayes with 27,313.