Monday 18 February 2019 08:33, UK
Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were honoured by their team-mates, the NBA and the crowd during the All-Star Game in Charlotte.
The two former NBA champions were added to the All-Star rosters by commissioner Adam Silver in recognition of their contributions to the league.
At the All-Star Draft, Wade was picked by old friend LeBron James while Nowitzki was added to Team Giannis.
Both men received huge cheers when they were introduced to the Spectrum Center crowd.
That reception was repeated when they into the game with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. Nowitzki splashed a three-pointer from the right wing on his first offensive possession, and drained another from the left wing on the subsequent possession, giving Team Giannis a 53-37 advantage entering the second quarter.
He added a third at the nine-minute mark in the second quarter and scored nine points on 3-of-3 shooting in 3:58 in the opening half.
Wade contributed seven points and four assists for Team LeBron, including a vintage trademark lob pass that was slammed home by James, evoking the duo's title-winning heyday with the Miami Heat.
Both players were presented with framed commemorative All-Star jerseys during a ceremony before the start of the fourth quarter. Each took the opportunity to address the crowd.
"Thank you to the commissioner and to the NBA for allowing us to be on this stage once again," Nowitzki said on the court between the third and fourth quarters, as every player from both rosters surrounded the veterans.
Wade said, "We want to thank each and every last one of these players. The game is in great hands. Thank you guys for this opportunity."
