Dallas Mavericks fans still haven’t gotten over the blockbuster NBA trade that sent star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Several were ejected from Monday night’s overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings due to violations of the NBA’s code of conduct, according to a team spokesperson.
Two of the fans were holding signs that read, ‘FIRE NICO’ – in reference to Mavs general manager Nico Harrison.
In addition, Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont, whose family purchased a majority stake in the team last year from previous owner Mark Cuban, was loudly booed at one point during the third quarter while he was sitting at his courtside seat.
Doncic, who led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, played his first game for the Lakers on Monday night, scoring 14 points in a win over the Utah Jazz.
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Meanwhile, Anthony Davis – the key player Dallas received in the deal – suffered an adductor strain in his first game with the Mavericks and is expected to miss several weeks.
Fans in Dallas have been protesting the trade deadline deal ever since it was announced.
Around 1,000 people demonstrated outside the American Airlines Center before Saturday’s game, calling for Harrison’s ouster as GM.
In addition to the fans who carried a prohibited sign, another person was ejected for being intoxicated and wearing a T-shirt that violated the league’s code of conduct.
In addition, ESPN reported that two fans got into a shouting match with Cuban, who was seated in his usual spot along the baseline next to the Mavericks bench.
Dallas guard Klay Thompson said he understood the fans’ frustration after losing a player who had been there for seven seasons and made five All-Star teams, but said the players can’t let it bother them.
‘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.’