Dirk Nowitzki, a legendary figure in the history of the Dallas Mavericks, will be attending the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz on Monday. This marks a significant occasion as Nowitzki supports his former teammate, Luka Dončić, who is set to make his debut with the Lakers after a high-profile trade.

Nowitzki, who spent an impressive 21 seasons with the Mavericks before retiring in 2019, expressed his sentiments on social media, stating, 'I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 [Dončić] in the first game of his new chapter!' His attendance highlights the strong bond between the two players, which was forged during Dončić's rookie season, coinciding with Nowitzki's final year in the league.

The Mavericks' decision to trade Dončić to the Lakers in exchange for star player Anthony Davis came as a surprise to many. Until this recent transaction, the Mavericks had not played a game without either Nowitzki or Dončić on the roster since April 1998. Dončić, who has been sidelined since Christmas Day due to a calf strain, is looking to continue his impressive performance, averaging 28.1 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 7.8 assists per game this season with his new team.