Doc Rivers uses timeout to give touching tribute to Dirk Nowitzki

Doc Rivers shakes hands with Dirk Nowitzki during the first half.LOS ANGELES (AP) — With nine seconds to go in Monday night’s game against the Dallas Mavericks, Clippers coach Doc Rivers grabbed the public address announcer’s mic to salute Mavs veteran Dirk Nowitzki, who received a standing ovation.

“I just felt he deserved that,” Rivers said.

What a beautiful moment in LA. Thanks Doc and @LAClippers! \ud83d\udc4f\ud83d\udc10 pic.twitter.com/gsYq923VSX

— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 26, 2019

Nowitzki called the gesture “sweet,” “humbling,” and “emotional.”

“I was very appreciative,” he said. “At first, I was like, ‘Why is Doc calling a timeout? What is he doing with six seconds to go?…