DALLAS -- As the shock of the Luka Doncic trade lingers, the atmosphere at the Dallas Mavericks' recent game against the Sacramento Kings shifted dramatically when multiple fans were ejected for violating the NBA's code of conduct. The Mavs suffered a narrow 129-128 loss at the American Airlines Center on Monday night, and the tensions in the crowd were palpable. Mavericks governor Patrick Dumont faced jeers as he took his courtside seat with just over two minutes left in the third quarter. Fans holding signs that read 'FIRE NICO' aimed their criticisms at general manager Nico Harrison, who has been at the center of the controversy since the Feb. 2 trade that sent Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers and brought Anthony Davis to Dallas. Spectators included around 1,000 protestors who gathered outside the arena prior to the game, and their dissatisfaction spilled over into the arena as they chanted for Harrison’s dismissal. Security has ramped up enforcement of the league's rules concerning fan signage, which led to the ejection of two fans during a shouting match with owner Mark Cuban. One of the ejected individuals reportedly wore a shirt violating conduct rules and exhibited unruly behavior. Mavericks players acknowledged the emotional fallout of the trade, as Klay Thompson empathized with the fans' frustrations and Kyrie Irving described their reaction as a manifestation of passionate support for the franchise. As the Mavericks continue to navigate an arena filled with discontented supporters, the ongoing tension spells trouble in their relationship with the fanbase amidst the tumultuous kings vs mavericks rivalry.
