NBA: Top 5 Amazing Dirk Nowitzki Moments

#1 NBA Finals 2011: Game 2 comeback and game winning layup

Dallas Mavericks v Washington Wizards

In Game 1 of the NBA Finals in 2011, Nowitzki suffered a torn tendon on the middle finger of his non-shooting arm when he tried to steal the ball from Chris Bosh. This could have been the end of the season for Dirk but he kept playing on the way to what would eventually become the Dallas Mavericks' maiden NBA championship.

In Game 2, the Mavs overcame a 15 points deficit in the fourth quarter to beat the Miami Heat, 95-93 to tie the series one game apiece. Capping a furious rally by scoring Dallas' final nine points, Nowitzki made two late baskets left-handed, as he finished with 24 points. After a timeout, Jason Kidd held the ball while the clock ran down. He passed the ball to Dirk who drove, spun to the left and made the game winning layup.

The Mavericks went on to win the series, 4-2 to lift the 2011 NBA Championship. Dirk Nowitzki was crowned the Finals MVP, becoming the second European to win the award after Tony Parker (in 2007) and the first German player to do so. In this campaign he averaged 26.0 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.0 assists.