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The Dallas Mavericks empathize with their upset fan base — until they criticize leadership inside the arena.
Just one day after owner Patrick Dumont said he understands why fans feel hurt about the Mavericks’ earth-shattering trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers for Anthony Davis, fans who expressed their displeasure during Monday’s home game against the Kings were ejected.
One fan was kicked out by security for mouthing the words “Fire Nico” while on the Jumbotron to sing Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and later showing off a sign with the same message during Dallas’ 129-128 loss to the Kings in overtime.
The bizarre moment on the big screen occurred in the third quarter, while the signs came out in the fourth quarter.
He and a co-conspirator called for general manager Nico Harrison’s job by showing off large “Fire Nico” signs while standing in the lower bowl of the arena.
The Mavericks released a statement on the ejections, citing that fans broke the NBA Code of Conduct.
“In the first incident, the guest brought in a sign that broke the following rule included in the NBA Code of Conduct: Clothing, garments or signs displaying explicit language, profanity or derogatory characterization towards any person(s),” Mavericks vice president of corporate communications Erin Finegold said in a statement released to reporters, per ESPN.
Security was serenaded with boos from fans as protestors of the front office were escorted out of the arena during the fourth quarter while the Mavericks led, 103-94.
These were some of the fans escorted out by American Airlines Center security. https://t.co/o3CYgcYUoR— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 11, 2025
More fans were ejected from the arena after they got into a shouting match with minority owner Mark Cuban, who was frustrated with hearing “Fire Nico” while the home team was shooting free throws late in the game.
“Shut the f—k up and sit the f—k down!” Cuban yelled, according to footage a fan showed to ESPN.
That group of fans was shown the door for wearing a t-shirt of an unidentifiable woman’s face with a clown nose on it, according to ESPN.
“In the second incident, the fan wore a T-shirt that also broke the rule [cited] and was also intoxicated, disruptive, and uncooperative, all listed in the NBA Fan Code of Conduct,” Finegold told ESPN.
Perhaps karma got the Mavericks in this instance, as the team blew its fourth-quarter lead en route to falling to 28-26.
Kicking people out for holding up a “Fire Nico” sign. Have some shame @dallasmavs @NicoHarrisonGM @GrantAfseth pic.twitter.com/fVCY4BjAz1— #1 Nico Harrison Hater (@himothyfan11) February 11, 2025
As if things couldn’t get more peculiar, coach Jason Kidd did not talk to reporters after the game in a rare defiance of league policy.
Maybe Kidd is just as upset as fans who have been protesting outside of American Airlines Center since the trade went through that sent the 25-year-old Doncic to Los Angeles.
the last dude screams “FIRE NICO!!” pic.twitter.com/jI1VBWEE2k— MavsHighlights (@MavsHighlights) February 11, 2025
“I want you to know I really sympathize with all of our fans who feel hurt,” Dumont previously said in an interview with The Dallas Morning News released Sunday morning. “Look, as far as I’m concerned, Luka is a Mav for life, and I really wish him nothing but happiness and success in his career as he continues in LA.”
Fans reportedly noticeably booed Dumont while he was walking down to his courtside seat during Monday’s game.
Harrison did not sit in his normal courtside seat Monday, otherwise he likely would have faced the same fate as Dumont.
Fan vitriol has only gotten worse as the 31-year-old Davis went down with an adductor injury that is going to keep him out several weeks.
Meanwhile, Doncic debuted for the Lakers on Monday and scored 14 points in a dominant 132-113 win over the Jazz.
