NBA scores 2017: Dirk Nowitzki reaches 30k while Russell Westbrook sets career high

There were only three games around the league on Tuesday night, but the night was not short of any drama. It was a night around the NBA for records. Dirk Nowitzki reached a milestone that only six players in the NBA have ever reached by scoring 30,000 points in this career. Before the start of Mavericks-Lakers, Dirk needed 20 points to reach the mark. He did it in 13 minutes. He started the night off hitting his first shot, scoring the Mavericks’ first eight points. By the time the first quarter was over, Dirk was already at 18 points for the night and 29,998 points for his career.

It didn’t take long once the second quarter started for Dirk to reach 20. His first shot in the second quarter was an airball, as you could hear the crowd about to explode as he let it go. His second shot was in rhythm and gave him 30,000. It was so perfectly Dirk. A jumper falling away from the basket on the baseline.

He finished with 25 points on the night and 11 rebounds. Dirk is now on a short list with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Karl Malone, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, and Wilt Chamberlain. What an unbelievable group of names to be a part of.

This moment from the Dallas bench when Dirk hit the shot is perfect.

Westbrook was trying score his own 30,000 points last night. He had 28 points in the first half, which made for this highest scoring half of the season. Halfway through the third quarter, he was already at 40 points. Westbrook finished the evening with 58 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Westbrook is now tied with Freddie Brown (1974) for the most points in a game by a Sonics/Thunder player in franchise history.

He also needed seven assists in the game to keep up his triple-double average. He did that, too. The only thing he didn’t get was a win.

LeBron James stopped his dinner to congratulate Dirk

Dirk’s shooting coach crying after 30k will make you cry too

Jared Dudley and Brandon Jennings were ejected after a head butt and gun gesture

The Suns gorilla mascot dramatically dove on the court to retrieve lost drum stick

Dwyane Wade rented out a Waffle House on National Pancake day

Dallas Mavericks 122, Los Angeles Lakers 111 (Mavs Moneyball recap | Silver Screen & Roll recap)

Portland Trail Blazers 126, Oklahoma City Thunder 121 (Blazers Edge recap | Welcome to Loud City recap)

Washington Wizards 129, Phoenix Suns 127 (Bullets Forever recap | Bright Side of the Sun recap)