The win-now Dallas Mavericks, constructed by general manager Nico Harrison, suffered a crushing defeat in the NBA play-in tournament against the Memphis Grizzlies, losing 120-106 in the critical game for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. This loss was particularly painful as it added insult to injury for Harrison, especially during the fourth quarter when Anthony Davis shot an airball and limped off the court. This was the same Anthony Davis that Harrison traded straight up for Luka Dončić, a decision often deemed one of the worst trades in sports history.
As Davis struggled to leave the court, ESPN caught Harrison in the stands with a cold expression, showcasing what might be considered one of the most brutal camera cuts ever.
Bro look at this, ESPN was ready to put the camera on Nico Harrison 😂😂pic.twitter.com/39aKWAalFK https://t.co/eqxPfMasc3
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) April 19, 2025
In a bid to justify the trade, Nico Harrison claimed in a closed-door meeting with reporters that “defense wins championships” and insisted that the move was necessary for the franchise to win a title, despite Luka leading the Mavs to the NBA Finals last year. Unfortunately for Harrison, the reasons against trading Dončić resurfaced almost immediately. Luka’s talent propelled the Lakers to the #3 seed in the West, while Davis’s ongoing injury woes surfaced during his first and last game with the team this season. After Kyrie Irving also succumbed to injury, the Mavericks’ season was effectively over.
That reality was affirmed on Friday night in Memphis, as ESPN perfectly captured the moment for Harrison to reflect on his decision amidst the team’s dismal performance. It was a scene that felt reminiscent of Nero fiddling while Rome burned.
