One of the fun things about schedule releases is picking out the top games that you know as a fan you can’t miss. With this potentially being the final season of Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki, Mavs fans searched for the final game to get tickets to see their hero for the last time. The problem is that game is on the road in San Antonio.

Heartbroken.

Though Dirk hasn’t officially confirmed that the 2018-2019 season would be his last season, there are clues by the former league MVP that this might his final season. A quick look at this year’s schedule shows that the Mavs will play their final game of the season on the road against the San Antonio Spurs. Something about that just doesn’t seem right and for Mavs fans it has to be a difficult thing to get past.

As a fan, you want that final game to be at home where as many Mavs fans can fill the AAC and have a huge celebration to honor the player that means so much to the franchise. Having that celebration the night before at home and then having Dirk still play another game after just ruins the idea.

Unfortunately, the NBA schedule is already set and it is highly unlikely they will change it for just one player. There are positives to the situation that help fans adjust as we celebrate Dirk’s final season. First off, the final home game of the season is just one night before his final game. It is against the Phoenix Suns and you know for sure Mavs owner Mark Cuban will have something spectacular planned for the Big German’s final home game, if that is the case.

Another positive point to mention is that there is some poetic justice with the final game being in San Antonio. Back in the 2006 playoffs, the Mavericks were playing in a game 7 against the Spurs to move onto the Western Conference Championship. The Mavs led for most of the game but the Spurs came back to take a three-point lead after Manu Ginobili hits a dagger with 32 seconds left in the game. On the Mavs next possession, Dirk gets the ball, backs down Bruce Bowen and then drives to the basket and gets the foul as well. He hits the free throw and the Mavs head to overtime and eventually win the game.

That moment is when Dirk took his stardom to another level and put the team on his back to help his team advance. It is just fitting that his final game is in a place where his legend was born.

Regardless of where and when his final game is, Mavs fans will be ready to take over the AAC come this April.