The 2002–03 NBA season was the Mavericks' 23rd season in the National Basketball Association. During the offseason, the Mavericks signed free agent Walt Williams. The Mavericks started the season strong by winning their first fourteen games of the season, which was one win shy of tying the NBA record set by the 1948–49 Washington Capitols and the 1993–94 Houston Rockets (15–0). They later held a 38–10 record at the All-Star break, and finished with a 60–22 record and lost the tie-breaker with the Spurs for the Midwest Division title. Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash were both selected to play in the 2003 NBA All-Star Game. It was the second straight All-Star appearance for both players. Nowitzki averaged 25.1 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, as he was named to the All-NBA Second Team, while Nash averaged 17.7 points and 7.3 assists per game, while being named to the All-NBA Third Team. Michael Finley provided the team with 19.3 points per game, while sixth man Nick Van Exel averaged 12.5 points per game off the bench.