The Dallas Mavericks are struggling. Since trading Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis, the Mavericks have had some of the worst injury luck in the NBA.
First, Davis was ruled out indefinitely. Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II are also sidelined. Caleb Martin, acquired from Philadelphia in a trade for Quentin Grimes, missed the first 13 games after being traded to Dallas. Olivier-Maxence Prosper has missed time, and Dante Exum was recently ruled out with a broken bone in his hand.
But the biggest blow came with Kyrie Irving. The superstar guard is out for the rest of the season and could miss the start of next season with a torn ACL. There’s no definitive timetable for his return, and with free agency looming, his injury complicates the Mavericks’ future.
P.J. Washington Addresses ‘Fire Nico’ Chants
With so many injuries, the Mavericks are nearing a worst-case scenario. The NBA requires teams to have at least eight healthy players available for games. If the Mavericks can’t meet that threshold, they could be forced to forfeit.
Kessler Edwards and Brandon Williams are also running out of time on their two-way contracts, making the roster crunch even tighter.
The Mavericks fans are already unhappy, as they began chanting “Fire Nico” during free throws in the Mavericks’ loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, referring to Dallas’ president of basketball operations/general manager Nico Harrison. Mavs forward P.J. Washington addressed the chants after the game:
“At the end of the day, trades happen. We understand we have a new team. All that ‘Fire Nico’ stuff, sick and tired of hearing it. We just want to go out and play [and for] the fans to support us no matter who’s on the floor.”
PJ Washington on the Mavs fan yelling during his free throw: “At the end of the day, trades happen. We understand we have a new team. All that ‘Fire Nico’ stuff, sick and tired of hearing it. We just want to go out and play, the fans to support us no matter who’s on the floor.” pic.twitter.com/YepBUuL0qT
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) March 16, 2025
Fans have every right to voice their frustration, but hearing those chants at home games has to take a toll on players. With the season winding down, the Mavericks face an uphill battle.
Can the Mavericks Stay in the Play-In Spot?
The Mavericks are 33-36, making them the 10th seed in the Western Conference. The Mavericks are only 1.5 games ahead of the Phoenix Suns for the final play-in spot, but the litany of injuries puts that in doubt.
The Mavericks have difficult games coming up against the Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons — contests that could ultimately decide their play-in fate. With the way their season has gone, missing the playoffs might feel like a mercy.