Fans of the Dallas Mavericks have expressed their displeasure towards general manager Nico Harrison following the controversial trade of Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Recently, two fans who were ejected for chanting “Fire Nico” received complimentary courtside tickets from minority owner Mark Cuban.

In a recent interview with WFAA, Mavericks supporters Chris Taylor and Garrett Bussey recounted their experience during their ejection from American Airlines Center on Monday. The incident took place in the second half of the Mavericks’ loss to the Sacramento Kings, where they were vocalizing their discontent with chants of “Fire Nico.”

Taylor reported that their chants led to a confrontation with Cuban, seated several rows ahead of them, after which they were escorted from the arena.

Mavericks fan removed from game after mouthing ‘fire Nico’ on jumbotron in protest of Luka Doncic trade

By Sam Quinn

“I feel like they shattered my identity as a fan,” Bussey stated.

Taylor echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that the trade of Doncic has left a significant emotional impact on the fan community, and they should be allowed to express their feelings without fear of being removed from the venue.

“We’re dissatisfied with the trade, and we believe we have the right to express our opinions,” Taylor remarked.

In a statement to WFAA, Cuban explained that the fans were disrupting the game during critical free throws for the Mavericks. He clarified that his frustration was not necessarily about their chants, but rather the timing of their protest.

“I didn’t mind what he was saying; it was the fact that fans were booing during our crucial moments, when they should have been quiet or supporting the team,” Cuban expressed.

In a gesture to reconcile, Cuban offered Bussey free courtside tickets for the Mavericks’ victory against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday.

While they missed seeing Doncic play, they were treated to an impressive performance from Kyrie Irving, who scored 42 points against the Warriors, potentially softening the impact of their earlier ejection.