The Dallas Mavericks host the second game of a back-to-back playing the Charlotte Hornets. It will be another night of celebration as the Mavs retire the jersey number of one of it's all-time greats.
The Dallas Mavericks honored co-founder and former general manager Norm Sonju during Wednesday's 118-105 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, one of the numerous staples of the season-long celebration of the franchise's 45th anniversary.
Sonju and his family were flown in from his home in Pennsylvania, sat courtside as the Mavs donned the throwback Hardwood Classic green jerseys and court, and embraced the crowd as a tribute video was shown on the jumbotron of American Airlines Center. He was instrumental in getting the NBA to expand to Dallas in 1980 along with the team's first majority owner Donald Carter.
Many former employees and players were in attendance Wednesday to welcome back and honor one of the franchise's "founding fathers."
Among those who greeted Sonju at the game were 1981 first-round draft picks Mark Aguirre and Rolando Blackman, 1983 first-round pick Derek Harper, 1992 draft-night acquisition Popeye Jones and 1994 No. 2 overall pick Jason Kidd.
"Well-deserved and well-overdue, like he should have been here a long time ago," Kidd said pregame about recognizing Sonju's legacy.
"His honor has come a little late, because we need to do better in showcasing our history - and tonight and tomorrow is the start of that - but it's great to have him and his family here."
The first 5,000 fans in attendance received Norm Sonju bobbleheads and a two-minute long video played inside the arena as Sonju received a standing ovation.
It was a feeling of indebted appreciation that will be carried into Thursday night's celebration, as well.
Aguirre is set to be the fifth Maverick to have his jersey retired in the rafters of the AAC when Dallas hosts the Charlotte Hornets Thursday night. Aguirre's No. 24 uniform will be unveiled at halftime hanging alongside Blackman's No. 22, Harper's No. 12, Brad Davis' No. 15 and Dirk Nowitzki's No. 41.
Fans will also receive Aguirre bobbleheads that resemble the high-scoring guard who is often looked at as the Mavs' first true superstar. He was Dallas' first NBA All-Star selection in 1983-84 when he averaged 29.5 points per game - which still stands as the third-highest points-per-game mark in a season in Mavericks history.
Aguirre was Dallas' only first-overall draft selection until this summer when the team picked Cooper Flagg. The rookie phenom was named a NBA All-Star Rising Star this week, but was inactive on Wednesday with left ankle injury management.
Flagg is set to return to the lineup to face the Hornets, which is only right as the team honors it's only other top pick.
The Mavs fell to the Wolves on Wednesday as Minnesota's Anthony Edwards took control in the second half and DFW-native Julius Randle scored a game-high 31 points, but Charlotte will be no easier task.
The Hornets are one of the hottest teams in the league as they've won four games in a row and seven of their last 10. The Hornets (20-28) beat the Memphis Grizzles 112-97 on Wednesday after walloping the Philadelphia 76ers by 37 on Monday.
The Mavericks (19-28) will look to get back on track as the much-anticipated Feb. 5 trade deadline comes into focus.
For now, the focus will be on honoring another franchise legend and hoping the good vibes can help the Mavs avoid dropping both games of the back-to-back.