NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki learned the hard way that giving a fan a chance to dunk can be a risky proposition.
The seven-footer appeared at a promotional event outside the Dallas Mavericks arena ahead of Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and one fan at the event was eager to show off his dunking prowess.
Nowitzki stood under the basket and held the ball behind his head as the fan began to run.
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Former NBA player Dirk Nowitzki before Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on June 12, 2024. (Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports)
But the fan's dunk attempt was unsuccessful.
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“Damn, Chris,” an announcer said in reaction to the attempt.
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The fan didn't even manage to snatch the ball out of Nowitzki's hands. Instead, he landed on the former NBA star's back, nearly knocking him over in the process.
(L-R) Emmitt Smith, Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash during Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
The collar of Nowitzki's blue shirt rose as a result of the botched dunk. Other than that, the Mavs legend seemed fine.
Former NBA player Dirk Nowitzki before Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on June 12, 2024. (Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports)
Nowski spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks, was the MVP of the 2011 NBA Finals, and retired in 2021.
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The Mavericks lost 106-99 in Game 3, and the Boston Celtics have a 3-0 series lead heading into Game 4 on Friday night.
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