Luka Dončić’s first career matchup against the Dallas Mavericks took center stage on Tuesday night, and perhaps no image captured the emotions of the All-Star guard facing the team that traded him like the one posted by the Basketball Forever X account during the game. In the photo, Dončić appears to be glaring at Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison, who was watching from the stands. The architect of the most shocking trade in NBA history seems to return Dončić’s glare with a look indicating that there’s no love lost between them.
Cold. pic.twitter.com/95JHLagUgE
— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) February 26, 2025
“Cold,” indeed. However, the photo is clearly fake. As WFAA sports anchor Jonah Javad pointed out, the viral image contains multiple red flags, such as the lighting at Crypto.com Arena making it unlikely for such a shot to exist. Additionally, there are no other indications that Harrison was in the stands during the game, though he was seen in the same blue suit near the court during Dončić’s pregame warmups. Moreover, Dončić’s fade haircut in the photo does not match his actual style in the game, and Harrison’s suit prominently displays a logo for Basketball Forever—an account known for sharing obviously photoshopped images.
Despite these inconsistencies, the photo went viral with 1.5 million views and over 6,500 retweets, many treating it as genuine. Notable voices promoting its legitimacy included Athlon Sports and DraftKings’ official X account. Furthermore, ESPN NBA analyst Jay Williams was caught hailing the moment as though it truly occurred.
Look at this moment—Luka’s laser-focused glare, like he’s channeling MJ. Nico is sitting there in that blue suit, which feels like it represents the Mavericks’ front office, but Luka’s stare isn’t just about the game—it’s personal. Luka’s in his own world, locked in, reminding… pic.twitter.com/NTdI9DdAma
— Jay Williams (@RealJayWilliams) February 26, 2025
Williams even referenced the image on Wednesday’s episode of ESPN’s Get Up, reiterating it as real. While Williams was not the only one misled, it highlights a significant issue of media literacy in today’s social media landscape. A quick check would have revealed the image’s original source, an account known for sharing doctored photos. What are the chances they would capture what would be one of the greatest moments in sports history? This situation illustrates how easily people can overlook red flags, like Dončić’s haircut and the Basketball Forever logo on Harrison’s suit, in an apparent attempt to support the narrative of Dončić’s tumultuous exit from the Mavericks. Even weeks later, the trade shock remains relevant, making it increasingly tough to discern fact from fiction.
