Late in the Dallas Mavericks’ 129-128 overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings, two more fans were ejected from American Airlines Center as abuse continued to rain down on everyone associated with the team’s ownership.
At roughly the same time, and around 1500 miles to the west, Luka Doncic was being afforded a hero’s welcome as he made his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers in a win against the Utah Jazz.
At guard. Number 77. From Slovenia. LUUUUUUUUKAAAA DONČIĆ pic.twitter.com/YxjdAvapjA
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) February 11, 2025
The atmosphere inside the two arenas could not have been any different.
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Anger evident in Dallas
The air was blue and thick with vitriol as protests continued in Dallas as fans still struggle to process the rationale behind the trade that sent Slovenian superstar Doncic to Los Angeles in a multi-player deal that saw the Mavs receive Anthony Davis in return.
Davis missed the Jazz game and is expected to sit out the next month after sustaining an injury over the weekend.
That did little to appease the fury felt in Dallas after seeing Doncic moved on.
Over 1,000 fans protested prior to the game against the Houston Rockets on Saturday with general manager Nico Harrison and owner Patrick Dumont in the firing line.
Two fans were ejected last night after holding up a ‘Fire Nico’ banner with Mavs vice president of corporate communications Erin Finegold saying in a statement: “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).”
Final in OT. @Chime // #MFFL pic.twitter.com/S9N37mMbAj
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) February 11, 2025
Two more were escorted out later on after appearing to engage in verbal barbs with the team’s former principal owner Mark Cuban.
Finegold added: “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.”
Kidd skips press after the game
Dallas coach Jason Kidd did not hold a post-game news conference, and could face a fine after breaching NBA rules, but several players expressed their understanding at the fans’ anger.
Kyrie Irving said: “You just got to give everybody grace.
“To see the emotions come out like that over basketball, that just shows you that basketball is not just a game to certain people. It’s a spiritual experience. It’s a connector piece, and they watch their favorite players and they want to see them forever. So, I run the side of just understanding where people are coming from.”
Klay Thompson said it was now on the players to provide everyone with a lift.
“It’s not our job to get deflated because people are upset,” Thompson said. “Our job is to convince them that there’s really great days ahead, not just for this year but for the next few years.
“I mean, people are going to say stuff, and that’s understandable. I was a fan, still a fan. If I didn’t agree with a trade, I’d probably voice my opinion too. That’s the beauty of sports. You go there to yell and be rambunctious sometimes.”
