Mavericks Fans Ejected Following Doncic Trade
DALLAS — Multiple Dallas Mavericks fans were ejected from Monday nightS 129-128 loss to the Sacramento Kings due to violations of the NBA‘s code of conduct, according to a team spokesperson. The ejections came amidst ongoing backlash from fans following the recent trade of superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles lakers.
The incidents occurred throughout the game, with fans holding signs and engaging in disruptive behavior. Two men were ejected in the final minutes after a shouting match with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, sparking boos from the crowd. Cuban, who was seated courtside, reportedly yelled at the fans to “shut the f— up and sit the f— down!”
Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont also received loud boos from the crowd when he returned to his courtside seat in the third quarter.
One fan was ejected for carrying a sign that violated NBA rules prohibiting explicit language or derogatory language, while another was ejected for wearing a T-shirt that was deemed disruptive and uncooperative. One fan was seen wearing a Doncic jersey from the Slovenian national team.
The trade of Doncic, who was the face of the franchise, has generated significant controversy among fans. Approximately 1,000 people protested outside the American Airlines Center on Saturday, chanting “Fire Nico” and “sell the team,” targeting Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison.
Harrison was not in attendance at Saturday’s game but was present at Monday’s game, but he did not sit in his usual seat in the lower bowl. Security has been strictly enforcing NBA rules limiting the size of fans’ signs since the trade.
Amidst the fan unrest, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd skipped his postgame press conference, as required by league rules. Players Kyrie Irving and Klay Thompson acknowledged the fans’ emotions but urged patience and understanding.
“People are going to say stuff, and that’s understandable. That’s the beauty of sports,” Thompson saeid. “You go there to yell and be rambunctious sometimes.”
“give everybody grace,” Irving said. “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…the cycle of emotions…then the passion. “