Dallas Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison was present at the American Airlines Center on Wednesday night as Luka Doncic returned for the first time since being traded to the LA Lakers — and was met by an angry home crowd that loudly chanted “Fire Nico!” throughout the evening.
Despite the arena’s strict enforcement of its fan code of conduct — which includes ejecting those with “Fire Nico” signs or mouthing the phrase when caught on camera — the chants rang out in full force with the Slovenian star back on his old home floor and Harrison in attendance.
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Doncic and the Lakers delivered in front of the Dallas crowd, taking a 112-97 win behind his explosive performance. The ex-Mavs guard led all scorers with 45 points on 16-of-28 shooting, adding eight rebounds, six assists and four steals in 38 minutes.
Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the Lakers’ trade package for Doncic, contributed 13 points, 11 rebounds and six assists while shooting 5-for-13. Max Christie, another player included in the deal, chipped in 11 points on eight attempts. Naji Marshall topped the Mavericks with 23 points.
Mark Cuban discusses Nico Harrison’s decision to trade Luka Doncic
Former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban appeared last week on the “Stephen A. Smith” show, where he opened up about the controversial trade of Luka Doncic, which Nico Harrison engineered.
Cuban said the deal was rooted in Harrison’s defensive mindset.
“Nico decided that defense wins championships, and they thought that Anthony Davis would be a better anchor for our defense,” Cuban said. “And look, you know, the truth is, between AD, Dereck Lively and Daniel Gafford, that’s the best big three in the NBA.”
READ: “That’s the best big 3 in the NBA”: Mark Cuban drops major statement on Mavericks’ roster after Anthony Davis acquisition
Cuban then said that had he still been calling the shots, Doncic would have never been dealt. He also noted that Nico Harrison only informed him of the trade after it was finalized.
“I was like, ‘You’re asking me, right? This isn’t done,’” Cuban recalled the conversation with Harrison going. “He was like, ‘No, it’s done.’ And I was like, ‘Okay.’ You know, nothing more to talk about.
“I wouldn’t have done this. And, you know, thanks for giving me the call.”
With the victory Wednesday, Doncic and the Lakers officially locked in a playoff berth and guaranteed themselves a top-six finish in the West. They now sit at 49-31 with two games remaining.
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Edited by John Ezekiel Hirro
