Mavericks Look to Turn Page After GM Firing Amid Fan Backlash

The Dallas Mavericks returned to the court Wednesday still feeling the ripple effects of a major organizational shakeup. One day after general manager Nico Harrison was dismissed, head coach Jason Kidd addressed the tension that has hovered over the franchise for weeks. Harrison’s departure followed months of vocal fan discontent, fueled largely by the high-profile trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers in February.

The chants of “Fire Nico!” had become a recurring soundtrack at the American Airlines Center, sometimes surfacing in the fourth quarter of close games. Kidd acknowledged the emotions behind the outcry but suggested that the protests had crossed into territory that undermined the players on the floor. He emphasized that the team needed a supportive environment, especially when players were attempting free throws in critical moments.

As Dallas hosted the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, the coach sought to redirect the fan base’s frustration, urging supporters to move forward after Harrison’s exit. He described the situation as part of a “healing process,” recognizing fans’ disappointment while defending the commitment of his roster. The Mavericks, he said, have been giving maximum effort since the trade that reshaped the team.

The atmosphere around the franchise has been tense enough that players privately expressed concern about losing the typical advantages of playing at home. With Harrison gone, the organization hopes fans will reengage—beginning with offering consistent encouragement for a team still trying to steady itself.

1. Fan Reaction Reaches Breaking Point

The frustration from Mavericks fans was rooted in the blockbuster deal that sent Doncic, a beloved franchise cornerstone, to Los Angeles. In the months that followed, the discontent rarely subsided. Game after game, chants demanding Harrison’s firing echoed through the arena, often surfacing in moments when players needed quiet and focus. These chants were not isolated incidents. They became so constant that they overshadowed game action and created an unconventional home-court environment. Kidd described the interruptions during free throws as particularly difficult, calling them disrespectful to players who were competing hard despite the emotional circumstances surrounding the trade. Harrison ultimately lost his job following the groundswell of criticism. Yet his dismissal did not immediately silence the outcry, as Monday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks showed. Fans continued the chants deep into the fourth quarter, puncturing a tight game with reminders of their frustration. For the players, the repeated displays of anger had become impossible to ignore. Some expressed privately that the energy felt more hostile than supportive—a dynamic that complicated an already challenging stretch of the season.

2. Players Feel the Strain

Forward P.J. Washington was among those who acknowledged the impact of the arena atmosphere. Washington said the lack of positive energy felt jarring, especially during moments when the team was fighting for momentum. With fans directing their frustration toward management rather than supporting the players, he noted that the arena no longer felt like a true home-court advantage. Washington experienced the disruptions firsthand Monday night. With just over seven minutes remaining and Dallas clinging to a narrow lead, chants broke out as he prepared for a free throw. The moment required calm and concentration, but the crowd noise had a different tone—one not aimed at helping the team. Later, with 1.2 seconds left, Washington stepped to the line again, this time with an opportunity to tie the game after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. The chants resurfaced. Washington missed the second of the three attempts. Although he refused to blame the fans for the miss, he made clear that the environment was far from ideal. He expressed hope that Wednesday would mark a shift—that fans, having made their feelings known and seen action taken at the front-office level, would return to cheering for the players themselves. “Hopefully, everybody starts cheering now,” he said. “And they’ll be quiet during free throws.”

3. Kidd Calls for a Reset

In his remarks Wednesday, Kidd tried to set a new direction for the relationship between the team and its supporters. He noted that fans had successfully voiced their displeasure and that major changes had now followed. With Harrison’s firing complete, Kidd argued that the focus should return to the players and their efforts to compete nightly. He emphasized that the roster has worked hard through a difficult transition and that players deserve an atmosphere that reflects that effort. The coach’s message highlighted the need for unity as Dallas attempts to move past a turbulent chapter. Kidd also framed the situation as part of the broader emotional arc of professional sports. Fans invest deeply in their teams, and major roster moves—especially involving stars—can spark strong reactions. But he reiterated that the team cannot function effectively with ongoing negativity during critical in-game moments. Ultimately, the coach expressed confidence that Dallas fans would regroup. He believes the crowd can once again serve as a powerful asset rather than a distraction. Whether Wednesday’s game signals a calmer future remains to be seen, but Kidd is hopeful that the healing he referenced will take root quickly.