Mavericks fans haven’t taken their collective foot off the gas.
And they haven’t gotten over the loss of their now-former franchise star.
Ahead of what will be the first Mavericks home game without Luka Doncic since the blockbuster Sunday morning trade that sent him to the Lakers and Anthony Davis to Dallas, hundreds of fans planned a protest and gathered near PNC Plaza at American Airlines Center to speak out.
A truck drives by protesting the Mavericks ownership before Dallas’ 116-105 over Houston on Feb. 8, 2025. APThe first people who arrived late Saturday morning specifically voiced their anger toward general manager Nico Harrison, who led the charge on the shocking move.
A few hours ahead of a game that will introduce the new-look team in Dallas against the contending Rockets, a truck continuously circled the plaza with a “Fire Nico, sell the team” sign.
Fans, many of whom were sporting Doncic jerseys, cheered and pumped their fists as it drove by the arena.
"SELL THE TEAM!" 🗣️
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 8, 2025
Mavs fans are protesting outside of their home arena 😳 pic.twitter.com/1Gvmjykp19
Another truck later drove by with a sign that read “Inside Traitor” with a picture of Harrison.
As 3 p.m. ET tipoff time approached, the crowd only swelled.
“Fire Nico” signs appeared to be the most common among the group along with a few heartfelt tributes to Doncic, such as “We Love 77” and “Loyalty never fades away #77Forever.”
Nevertheless, there were also notable signs with creative acronyms and acrostics.
One used Harrison’s name to spell out: “Negligent, Incompetent, Corrupt, Oblivious.”
Another had the letters “MFFL,” which is usually used for “Mavs Fans For Life.”
Instead, the fan wrote: “Money First Fans Last.”
A truck drives by protesting the Mavericks’ management before Dallas’ win over the Rockets on Feb. 8, 2025. APMavericks coach Jason Kidd was asked by reporters before the game about the protests outside the arena.
“The noise outside doesn’t affect your job,” Kidd said before his Mavericks went on to a 116-105 victory over the Rockets in which Davis had a strong Dallas debut before exiting with an injury. We are judged on energy and effort. And understanding the fan does have a right to express. They paid their money for a game to come and express how they felt. We understand the sadness, the hurt, or confusion on the Luka trade, but we, as employees of the Mavs, have no choice but to push forward with the group we have. In due time I think they will cheer and be happy with the group that will play this afternoon.”
The three-team trade, which was announced in the early morning hours of Feb. 4, sent the sports world into shock as the Mavericks dealt Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris to the Lakers while Davis, Max Christie and a 2029 first-round pick came back to Dallas.
That’s only one first-round draft pick for Doncic, one of the best two-way players in the league,
People protesting the trade of Luka Doncic gather before the Mavericks win over the Rockets on Feb. 8, 2025. APTo put that in perspective, the Knicks gave away five first-round picks for Mikal Bridges in the offseason.
The third team involved in the February trade — the Jazz — received Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Clippers’ 2025 second-round pick and the Mavericks’ 2025 second-round selection.
Hours following the trade announcement, Mavericks fans angrily gathered outside American Airlines Center to protest.
The gathering even featured a blue casket to hold a fake funeral for the franchise, with Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth’s “See You Again” playing in the background.
Dallas fans gather outside the arena before the Mavericks’ win over the Rockets on Feb. 8, 2025 to protest the Nico Harrison trade of Luka Doncic to the Lakers. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConDoncic had a short but revealing reaction in his first comments after the chaos.
“That’s their decision, I have no comment on that. They made a decision, I don’t know why … I can’t do nothing about it,” he said Tuesday.
Harrison believes getting a center in Davis will help them “win now and in the future.
Dallas fans protest outside of the arena before the Mavericks’ win over the Rockets on Feb. 8, 2025. Getty ImagesESPN reported that Dallas had concerns over Doncic’s conditioning and lifestyle habits.
Since the trade, the Mavericks — who are 1-0 since the trade — have reportedly offered season ticket holders a refund for the remaining games of the schedule without Doncic.






