DALLAS, Texas (CBS News Texas) – While Luka Doncic made his debut with the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks fans outraged by Doncic’s trade continued calling on the team to fire general manager Nico Harrison.

As the Mavericks hosted the Sacramento Kings Monday night, fans at the American Airlines Center were holding signs that read “fire Nico.”

That same fan was caught on camera on the AAC’s jumbotron, mouthing the words “fire Nico.” While he was escorted out, other fans booed.

Dallas Mavericks fans hold up a sign referring to Mavs general manager Nico Harrison during the game against the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on February 10, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. / Getty Images

On Tuesday, CBS News Texas spoke with Chris Taylor, a Mavs season ticket holder. He said he was unfairly kicked out of the game after exchanging words with team minority owner Mark Cuban.

We reached out to Cuban, who said the entire interaction lasted about 20 seconds and he was simply trying to find out why fans were booing during a crunch time for the team. “I had no say about who got kicked out. I turned back to watch the game. I spent about 20 secs interacting with him,” Cuban said.

To make matters worse, Mavs forward Daniel Gafford suffered a right knee sprain In the second quarter and did not return to the game. The Mavs’ frontcourt is now decimated by injuries with Gafford, Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II all expected to miss time.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd did not speak to the media after the game, which is normally a requirement per NBA rules. Mavs guards Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson did speak on the fans’ continued displeasure on the Doncic trade and said they understand where the fanbase is coming from.

“You just got to give everyone grace,” Irving said. “To see the emotions come out like that over basketball just shows you that basketball is not just a game to certain people. It’s a spiritual experience. It’s a connector piece. They watch their favorite players and they want to see them forever. I run the side of just understanding where people are coming from.”

Sources told CBS News Texas’ Ro Parrish that the video team has had multiple meetings outlining specific instructions on fans to avoid showing on cameras in the arena.

On Saturday, in the first home game since Doncic was traded to the Lakers, AAC employees avoided showing adult fans for the first time since the building opened and instead focused on showing younger fans for the entire game.

Mavericks fans are proving they aren’t getting over the trade anytime soon. One Doncic fan even launched a billboard campaign, taking jabs at the Mavericks’ management, and a North Texas brewery has a beer dubbed “Sell the Team.”

“People are going to say stuff and that’s understandable,” Thompson said. “I was a fan…still a fan. If I didn’t agree with the trade, I’d probably voice my opinion too. It’s not our job to get deflated because people are upset. Our job is to try and convince them that there’s really great days ahead.”

Luka Doncic’s debut in Los Angeles

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Doncic played for 24 minutes, including sitting the entire fourth quarter, as he still assimilates himself to the Lakers roster.

Overall, he had 14 points, five rebounds and four assists on the night as the Lakers cruised to their sixth straight victory, 132-113, with Dallas Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki in attendance.

“I will always be a Mav for life, but had to come support my guy 77 @luka7doncic in the first game of his new chapter!” Nowitzki said on social media.

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