The American Airlines Center has hosted some incredible moments since 2001. Here are the 10 greatest games in the building's history.
1. Game 5, 2011 WCF vs. Thunder (May 25, 2011) Dirk scored 29 points to close out OKC and send Dallas to the Finals. The building was shaking when the buzzer sounded. Fans poured into Victory Park afterwards.
2. Luka's 73-point game speculation aside — his 51-point triple-double (2024) Luka posted 51 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a regular season game that felt like a playoff atmosphere. The crowd was on its feet for the final 6 minutes.
3. Game 2, 2006 NBA Finals vs. Heat Dallas took a 2-0 series lead. Dirk had 26 points and the arena believed a championship was imminent. (The subsequent collapse makes this memory bittersweet.)
4. Dirk's 30,000th point (March 2017) A mid-range jumper to become the 6th player in NBA history to reach 30,000 points. The game stopped for a ceremony. Dirk was characteristically humble.
5. Dirk's jersey retirement ceremony (January 2022) Number 41 raised to the rafters. The ceremony was 90 minutes of tributes from teammates, opponents, and fans. Every eye in the building was wet. Source: ESPN coverage.
6. Game 4, 2024 WCF vs. Timberwolves Down 2-1 in the series, Luka exploded for 36 points and the Mavs dominated by 20. The AAC was deafening. The series swung permanently in Dallas's favor.
7. Luka's playoff debut (2022) First home playoff game for Luka against Utah. He had 45 points. The building understood they were watching a future MVP.
8. The Jason Terry Game 6, 2011 WCF (closeout) Terry hit five three-pointers and scored 24 points off the bench. The Jet was flying and the crowd fed off every make.
9. Dirk's final home game (April 2019) A triple-double in his last game at AAC. 30 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists. The man went out exactly how he should have — brilliantly.
10. Game 1, 2024 First Round vs. Clippers The Mavs trailed by 18 in the third quarter and came back to win. The AAC was dead in the third quarter and shaking the walls by the end of the fourth. One of the greatest comebacks in franchise playoff history.
Sources:
- Basketball Reference — game logs for all referenced games
- ESPN — event coverage
- NBA.com — historical records
Dirk\'s final home game triple-double was the most emotional sporting event I have ever attended. A 40-year-old scoring 30 points in his last game. Hollywood could not script it better.