When the Dallas Mavericks sent away franchise cornerstone Luka Dončić, they traded for more than just Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and a draft pick — they also acquired a host of disgruntled fans.
Several of those fans were in the building for the Feb. 10 contest against the Sacramento Kings, making their displeasure with Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison known by way of “Fire Nico” chants and signs.
Accounts Detail Chaotic Scene With Mavericks Fans Getting Ejected
Security at the Mavericks’ American Airlines Centre were quick to respond, as Mavericks beat writer Grant Afseth took to X to share videos of hecklers being escorted out, claiming: “You can almost just look at a fan section and if you wait long enough, a fan gets removed.”
You can almost just look at a fan section and if you wait long enough, a fan gets removed. pic.twitter.com/uw9OUClw4p
— Grant Afseth (@GrantAfseth) February 11, 2025
Yahoo’s Kevin O’Connor also weighed in, expressing his own disappointment at how the organization has handled itself in the wake of Dončić’s departure.
It’s actually so sad to see the Mavericks organization crumble. Ejecting passionate fans last night. Jason Kidd refusing to speak postgame. No medical update on Anthony Davis, the injured player you just acquired for your 25-year-old face of the franchise. Just disgraceful.
Dirk… pic.twitter.com/npDtLGCb0w
— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) February 11, 2025
Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban, who had previously told “Swishline” that he would sooner divorce his wife than trade Dončić, was recorded snapping at fans from his courtside seats, allegedly in response to the “Fire Nico” chants.
Mark Cuban on how far he’d go to keep Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks: “If I had to choose between my wife and keeping Luka on the Mavs, catch me at my lawyers office preparing for a divorce.”https://t.co/GMogiMhKmI pic.twitter.com/BrTgJ1AGSY
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 29, 2020
After the game, Cuban backed up the arena’s security, telling Dallas Hoops Journal that ejecting fans was less about the “Fire Nico” message and more about the potential of inciting violence in the stands.
Someone found the Cuban video!!
He’s dropping F Bombs on us! https://t.co/NW4SVYNdTj pic.twitter.com/eHJBgjPUYF— LUKA! LUKA! LUKA! (@MVPLuka77) February 11, 2025
“Even if you aren’t violating the code of conduct, if you are doing something that could create a disturbance, then they can remove you. No matter what you say,” Cuban remarked. “If they think it could create a disturbance or lead to other fans not being able to watch the game. You can be removed.”
He also commented on his altercation with the heckler, adding, “I didn’t care what he was saying. He was saying it the whole game. I cared that fans were booing him while we had the ball in crunch time or were shooting [free throws] — the time when they should be silent or cheering for the Mavs. That’s why I was pointing to try to get him to sit down so the booing at him would stop.”
The Mavericks fell 129-128 in overtime to the Kings amidst all the drama, as DeMar DeRozan’s 42 points and a Domantas Sabonis double-double proved too much to overcome without their newly acquired star Anthony Davis. The 31-year-old big man went down with an adductor injury in his first outing as a Maverick, and ESPN’s Brian Windhorst is now reporting that he’ll miss “a significant period” of time despite avoiding surgery.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Lakers are reaping the benefits of the transaction, as they kicked off their Dončić era with a 19-point thrashing of the Utah Jazz. They’re set for a rematch in Utah on Feb. 12 as they try to claw their way into the Western Conference’s top three. The Lakers currently sit 1.5 games back from the third-place Denver Nuggets and 10.5 games back from the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Mavericks’ next chance to prove their worth to fans comes against the Golden State Warriors. The two teams are separated by just 0.5 games and clinging for dear life to spots in the NBA’s play-in to determine the bottom two postseason seeds.
