The Dallas Mavericks played their second home game on Monday night following the shocking trade of franchise star Luka Dončić last week, and things did not go well. Fans remain outraged by the team’s stunning decision to send the beloved player and prolific scorer to the Los Angeles Lakers.
During the game, several fans were ejected from American Airlines Center for protesting the trade. One fan, shown on the Jumbotron, appeared to mouth the words, “Fire Nico,” referring to Mavs GM Nico Harrison.
Mavericks fan who chanted ‘Fuck Nico’ got escorted out from the Mavs fans💪 pic.twitter.com/vHZABLyYxL
— The SportsRush (@TheSportsRushUS) February 11, 2025
Compounding the unrest, head coach Jason Kidd chose not to meet with reporters after the game, which is standard procedure for coaches. Additionally, the team failed to provide any update on injured star Anthony Davis, the key player acquired in the Dončić trade. Basketball analyst Kevin O’Connor condemned the team’s behavior, declaring it “disgraceful” in an X post. He expressed disappointment, noting, “Ejecting passionate fans last night…No medical update on Anthony Davis, the injured player you just acquired for your 25-year-old face of the franchise.” O’Connor also shared a photo of Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki attending the Lakers game to witness Dončić’s debut, suggesting it was a clear statement against the current Mavericks management.
A Mavericks spokesperson cited reasons for the ejections, including violations of the NBA Code of Conduct, claiming one fan was “intoxicated, disruptive and uncooperative.” However, reactions on sports media the following day were critical. On the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz, Jon “Stugotz” Weiner criticized the Mavericks for their handling of the situation, stating, “Those fans do not deserve to be thrown out of a game for being fans.” He questioned, “Why can’t fans voice their concerns without being thrown out by the organization? Terrible job by the Mavericks.”
“Those fans do not deserve to be thrown out of a game for being fans…TERRIBLE job by the Mavericks.” — @stugotz790 rips the Mavs for ejecting fans who voiced their opinion on Nico Harrison and the organization trading Luka Doncic.
WATCH: https://t.co/pFsFzNvnIB pic.twitter.com/u8AWx7UH47
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) February 11, 2025
Broadcaster Erika Day from the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury also agreed that the Mavericks crossed a line with their ejections, criticizing the organization for not being held accountable. She tweeted, “The Mavs organization should feel ashamed of themselves for kicking those fans out. How can they commit NBA WAR CRIMES and expect people to be happy???”
The Mavs organization should feel ashamed of themselves for kicking those fans out.
How can they commit NBA WAR CRIMES and expect people to be happy???
— Erika Day (@erikaleaday) February 11, 2025
Expect similar situations to unfold at Mavericks games throughout the season. As for Kidd’s absence from the postgame press conference, which could potentially lead to an NBA fine, it left many reporters surprised.
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What a mess in Dallas. I’ve covered the NBA for 17 years and have never heard of a coach skipping a postgame press conference. Of course, I’ve never seen a trade like the Luka Doncic trade, either. https://t.co/2XWDtu0M59
— Sam Amico (@AmicoHoops) February 11, 2025
No postgame press conference for Jason Kidd after the Dallas Mavericks’ 129-128 OT loss against the Sacramento Kings.
This is the first NBA game I’ve covered where a coach didn’t do postgame.
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 11, 2025
