2 weeks Ago
DALLAS — On the same night Luka Dončić made his Los Angeles Lakers debut, security ejected two Dallas Mavericks fans from the American Airlines Center who were frustrated with the team’s decision to trade the five-time All-Star. On Monday, the Mavericks hosted the Sacramento Kings in their second home game since trading Dončić. The injury-riddled team lost to the Kings 129-128 in overtime.
Video captured a fan who mouthed the words “Fire Nico” on the Jumbotron later being escorted out of the building. The Athletic spotted at least one other Mavericks fan being asked to leave his seat by security. General manager Nico Harrison drove the decision to trade Dončić to the Lakers.
The fan who mouthed “Fire Nico” on the Jumbotron gets escorted out of the AAC pic.twitter.com/jodQPyw4OT — Christian Clark (@cclark_13) February 11, 2025 The Mavericks said the fans were ejected for violating the NBA Fan Code of Conduct.
One fan brought with him “clothing, garments or signs displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization toward a person,” the team said. The second fan wore an inappropriate T-shirt and was “intoxicated, disruptive and uncooperative,” the team said. Advertisement Guards Klay Thompson and Kyrie Irving both said they understood why fans are upset about Dallas’ decision to trade Dončić eight months after he led Dallas to an NBA Finals appearance.
“People are going to say stuff,” Thompson said. “That’s understandable. I was a fan.
Still a fan. If I didn’t agree with a trade, I would probably voice my opinion, too.” Another fan getting escorted out by security pic.
twitter.com/uGIgj9w5wb — Christian Clark (@cclark_13) February 11, 2025 “You have to give credit to Dallas fans,” Irving said. “They have cheered not only for Luka but for the Mavericks for some odd years.
This is their community team.” Before Saturday’s game, about 100 Mavericks fans protested outside the American Airlines Center. They called for ownership to sell the team and demanded Harrison be fired.
“They protested,” coach Jason Kidd said. “They have a right to do that. We understand where that is coming from.
But the game is about basketball.” Anthony Davis — who the Mavericks got in return for Dončić in the blockbuster trade — tallied 26 points and 16 rebounds in his Dallas debut Saturday but was unable to play Monday. Davis suffered a left adductor strain.
He is still “being evaluated,” according to Kidd, and there is no timetable on his return. The Mavericks are 28-26 with two games remaining before the All-Star break. They play the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday and the Miami Heat on Thursday, both home games.
“That’s the beauty of sports,” Thompson said of Dallas’ unhappy fans. “You go there to yell and be rambunctious sometimes. It doesn’t really bother any of us, to be honest.
” Required reading (Photo: Jerome Miron / Imagn Images).
