The Dallas Mavericks fell to 0-2 for the season after a 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards, with fans chanting ‘Fire Nico!’ in protest of general manager Nico Harrison, highlighting growing frustrations over the team’s poor start.
The chants erupted late in Friday night’s game at the American Airlines Center, echoing discontent that has simmered since the shocking trade of superstar Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers last February. Despite drafting top prospect Cooper Flagg with the first overall pick, the Mavericks have struggled out of the gate, losing their opener by 33 points to the San Antonio Spurs before this double-digit defeat to a Wizards team that won only 18 games last season. Thousands of empty seats were visible by the final minutes, underscoring the fan base’s impatience.
Head coach Jason Kidd addressed the fan discontent after the game, acknowledging their right to express frustration while calling for patience with the new-look roster. ‘I think they have a right to vent, but there’s a patience [needed],’ Kidd said. ‘It’s a different team, it’s a new team. We’re just getting to understand each other.’ Kidd, who recently signed a contract extension, emphasized that the team remains focused on improvement ahead of their next game against the Toronto Raptors, stressing that the criticism won’t deter their daily efforts.
The Mavericks’ offensive struggles have been glaring, ranking last in the league in efficiency after two games and averaging 18.5 turnovers per contest. In the loss to Washington, they committed 20 turnovers, undermining a fourth-quarter rally that cut a 17-point deficit to four at one point. Rookie Cooper Flagg, playing out of position at point guard, contributed 18 points, including 11 in the final period, but also had five turnovers, highlighting the team’s adjustment challenges and lack of cohesion early in the season.
Flagg, the 18-year-old phenom, said he was so focused on the game that he didn’t hear the ‘Fire Nico’ chants. ‘I’m just locked in on the game,’ Flagg told reporters. ‘I didn’t even hear those. I’m listening to coach, listening to the guys on the team, the vets.’ His maturity and dedication were noted, even as he experiences back-to-back losses for the first time in his basketball career after an undefeated stretch at Duke, where his team never lost consecutive games.
Veteran players like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson shouldered responsibility for the poor start. Davis, acquired in the Dončić trade, posted 27 points and 13 rebounds but acknowledged the team’s self-inflicted errors. ‘We are beating ourselves, and as long as we are doing that, we can correct it,’ he said, downplaying concern about the 0-2 record. Thompson, who scored only eight points, admitted the situation is ’embarrassing’ but vowed to work harder to turn things around, emphasizing that the players need to give fans something to cheer for.
The Mavericks now face pressure to quickly regroup, with sources indicating no discussions about an extension for Harrison, who has two years left on his contract. As the team prepares for Sunday’s matchup, the players and coaching staff are emphasizing unity and incremental progress. However, with Dončić excelling in Los Angeles—leading the NBA in scoring—and the fan base growing impatient, the spotlight on Harrison and the front office intensifies with each loss, setting the stage for a critical early-season response.