Kobe Bryant sits final game vs. Dirk Nowitzki with sore right shoulder

Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki have gone head-to-head on 53 occasions, with "The Black Mamba" owning a 32-21 record (including the postseason) over the course of their legendary careers.

Sadly, NBA fans will never see the two icons face off again, as Bryant was ruled out for the final meeting of the season between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday night.

The 37-year-old did not suit up due to a sore right shoulder.

The Mavericks are 2-0 on the season against the Lakers, although they're currently riding a two-game losing streak following losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Houston Rockets over the weekend. The Lakers, however, are far worse off, with just one win over their last 11 games.

This will be the ninth game of the season Bryant misses, with his shoulder - which he had surgery on last year to repair a torn rotator cuff - having already cost him time.

In his 20th and final season with the franchise, Bryant is averaging 15.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, with a true shooting percentage of just 44.7.