Nowitzki was participating in an event before Game 3 of the NBA Finals
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NBA champion Dirk Nowitzki learned the hard way that giving a fan an opportunity to dunk over you can be a risky proposition.
The seven-footer appeared at a promotional event outside the Dallas Mavericks' home arena before Game 3 of the NBA Finals, and a 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 got a running start.
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Former NBA player Dirk Nowitzki before Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, June 12, 2024. (Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports)
But the fan's dunk attempt was unsuccessful.
"Damn, Chris," an announcer said in reaction to the attempt.
Almost took Dirk out last night 😳 pic.twitter.com/z5efnU4UtO
— Dallas Texas TV (@DallasTexasTV) June 13, 2024
The fan did not even manage to get the ball from Nowitzki's hands. He instead landed on the former NBA star's back, almost knocking him down 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 June 12, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. (Tim Heitman/Getty Images)
The collar on Nowitzki's blue shirt popped up as a result of the failed dunk. Aside from that, the Mavs legend appeared OK.
Former NBA player Dirk Nowitzki before Game 3 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, June 12, 2024. (Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports)
Nowski spent his entire NBA career with the Mavericks, was the 2011 NBA Finals MVP and retired in 2021.
The Mavericks lost 106-99 in Game 3, and the Boston Celtics have a 3-0 series lead entering Friday night's Game 4.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
