Dirk Nowitzki into 8th on scoring list

ByTIM MACMAHON
December 26, 2014, 10:16 PM

— -- DALLAS -- Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki climbed another rung on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

Nowitzki moved into eighth place during Friday night's game against the Los Angeles Lakers, passing Hall of Fame forward Elvin Hayes.

Nowitzki needed six points entering the game to pass Hayes, who finished his career with 27,313 points, and did so on a midrange jumper on the opening possession of the second half.

Nowitzki finished with 14 points in the Mavericks' 102-98 win and now has 27,322 for his career.

Hayes is the second top-10 all-time scorer passed by Nowitzki this season. The Mavs star bumped Hakeem Olajuwon to No. 10 on the list in a Nov. 11 win over the Sacramento Kings.

Nowitzki likely will pass Moses Malone (27,409 career points) in early January to move into seventh on the all-time scoring list.