Mavs fans protest at first home game since Luka Doncic trade
Mavs fans protest Luka Doncic trade outside of AAC
Hundreds of Dallas Mavericks fans showed up outside the American Airlines Center to protest the team's first home game since trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. Fans expressed their displeasure with GM Nico Harrison and Mavs ownership near the Dirk Nowitzki statue.
DALLAS - Dallas Mavericks fans are protesting outside of the American Airlines Center on Saturday ahead of the team's first home game since trading away superstar Luka Dončić.
Security has been increased and barriers were placed outside of the AAC for Saturday's protest.
A group of fans outside the stadium chanted "loyalty," "sell the team" and more.
Dallas Mavericks Protest at the AAC
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Dallas Mavericks fans on Luka trade
Dallas Mavs fans made the trip to the American Airlines Center to express their frustration over the team trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Mavs fans have been furious since the news broke late Saturday night that 25-year-old Dončić was being sent to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package including Anthony Davis.
READ MORE: Dallas Mavericks lose nearly 1 million Instagram followers after trading Luka Dončić to Lakers
On social media, some fans have scheduled a protest titled "Mavs Fans For Luka."
The protest is scheduled to begin at noon at Victory Plaza.
Organizers gave the protest the tagline "Loyalty Never Fades Away," which is written on the base of Dirk Nowitzki's statue outside the American Airlines Center.
What they're saying:
Saturday's protest made it clear that fans were not quite over the trade.
"Anthony Davis is a really good player but he’s not Luka," Blake Combs said. "And just the way the whole thing was done, it wasn’t fair to Luka, and it wasn’t fair to the City of Dallas."
Mirsad Grabus planned to celebrate his 60th birthday by going to a Mavs game with his son to watch his favorite player.
"We coming from almost same country, I’m Bosnian, he’s Slovenian, that’s kind of a connection to and from now on wherever he goes, I go," Grabus said.
Grabus says he'll make a trip to Los Angeles, but when he bought Doncic's Dallas jersey he never thought he's have to buy another one.
"I can’t believe. Because I got one that he belongs to. He should be here, in this game," Grabus said.
Dallas Police say they will be vigilant and visible during the protest.
They are calling for anyone who sees anything suspicious to call 911.
"As always, it is our top priority to maintain the safety of the people who live, work and visit our city," the department said in a statement to FOX 4.
The Mavericks beat the Houston Rockets 116-105 Saturday, but fans said it just wasn't the same.
"I mean, I love what I saw from Anthony Davis, but I feel like the energy, it just doesn’t hit the same without Luka," Sam Olvera said.
Travis Alley wore Luka's number 77 jersey from the Slovenian national team as a statement Saturday.
"I thought he was destined for great things, and I think he still is, I’m a Mavs fan and also a Luka fan so I’m pretty torn about this whole situation," Alley said.
Viral Mavs fan Finesse Fave on Luka trade
Finesse Fave went viral for his rant about the Dallas Mavericks trading Luka Doncic. He sat down with FOX 4's Mike Doocy and Sam Gannon to talk about the frustration of Mavs fans and his future supporting the team.
It won't be the first time Mavs fans have filled Victory Plaza.
On the Sunday after the trade was announced, Mavericks fans brought signs, shirts and even a coffin to the area around the stadium to express their frustration with the deal.
Reports: Nico Harrison gets full-time security detail
Ethan Strauss on the Luka trade, Nico hire | DZTV
The Luka Doncic trade sent shockwaves through the NBA. The Athletic's Ethan Strauss shares what he's learned about the trade and Nico Harrison.
Mavericks GM Nico Harrison now has full-time security around him, according to ESPN.
ESPN's Tim MacMahon reports that Harrison has received death threats following the deal and will not be sitting in his usual seats in the American Airlines Center for Saturday's game.
Mavericks fans have been angry with Harrison since the deal, not only for trading Dončić, but for only speaking to the Los Angeles Lakers in the deal and getting a return that they viewed was less than what possible for a young superstar of his caliber.
Harrison held a news conference in Cleveland shortly after the news broke, but has not had an open media session with reporters in Dallas.
He did not attend Friday's news conference introducing new players Anthony Davis, Max Christie and Caleb Martin. Harrison has typically attended news conferences following trade deadline acquisitions of new players.
Luka Dončić trade
Luka Doncic, Lakers news conference: FULL
Luka Doncic and Los Angeles Lakers GM Rob Pelinka answer questions on Tuesday after trading for the Slovenian superstar. Doncic talked about his time in Dallas and said he was "shocked" by the trade.
- Dallas Mavericks receive: Anthony Davis, Max Christie, 2029 LA Lakers first-round pick
- Los Angeles Lakers receive: Luka Dončić, Maxi Kleber, Markieff Morris
- Utah Jazz receive: Jalen Hood-Schifino, 2025 LA Clippers second-round pick, 2025 Dallas Mavericks second-round pick
Davis has not played since the trade with an ab injury. He is expected to make his debut with the Mavericks on Saturday.
Max Christie has played in two games for the Mavericks, including Thursday night's win over the Boston Celtics.
Is Luka Dončić playing today for the Lakers?
EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 5: Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait on February 5, 2025 at UCLA Health Training Center in El Segundo, California. (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
What we know:
Luka Dončić is not expected to play on Saturday against the Indiana Pacers.
ESPN rearranged its schedule on Saturday to air the Pacers-Lakers game in anticipation of Dončić's debut, but that is no longer the case.
Dončić has not played since Christmas Day with a nagging calf injury.
What we don't know:
At this point, we don't know when Luka Dončić will make his first appearance with his new team.
Lakers coach JJ Redick said it looks like he is trending toward playing Monday against the Utah Jazz, but does not want to rush the superstar back on the court.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the Dallas Mavericks, ESPN, and social media posts from Mavs fans.