"Fire Nico!" Chants Echo Through Arena as Luka Doncic’s Return Ignites Fan Fury in Dallas

DALLAS — The chants began just four seconds into Luka Dončić’s highly anticipated return to Dallas on Wednesday night, and they never relented. Thousands of Mavericks fans roared “Fire Nico!” in unison, directing their fury at general manager Nico Harrison for trading the franchise cornerstone to the Los Angeles Lakers in February. The visceral protest became the defining soundtrack of the Lakers’ 112-97 victory, with Dončić torching his former team for 45 points while the crowd’s vitriol crescendoed into a cathartic roar.

A City’s Outcry, Captured on Camera The broadcast repeatedly panned to Harrison during the chants, juxtaposing the stoic executive against a sea of jeering fans. The moment turned darkly comedic as the arena’s drumline synchronized with the rhythm of “Fire Nico!”—a surreal touch that underscored the protest’s coordination. The chants erupted at every stoppage: timeouts, free throws, and even during Dončić’s postgame ovation, when he intentionally fouled out to bask in a final standing applause before the crowd resumed its demands.

From Murals to Medieval Times: A Movement Grows The anger has simmered since February’s blockbuster trade, which sent Dončić to L.A. for Anthony Davis and draft picks. A “Fire Nico” mural—featuring a Mavericks hat defaced with duct tape—sprang up in Dallas last month, while chants have disrupted local events ranging from St. Patrick’s Day parades to Medieval Times dinners. “This trade deserved that reaction,” said fan Chris Taylor, who was ejected from a February game for leading the chants and inspired the mural. “If you trade a player loved by the city, you’d better understand what you’re losing”.

The Aftermath: A Franchise at a Crossroads While Dončić acknowledged the “love” from fans during his ovation, the Mavericks’ locker room offered no such warmth. Anthony Davis, who scored 18 points in the loss, tersely replied “No comment” when asked about the chants. Online, fans flooded forums like Reddit’s r/nba to celebrate the protest’s intensity, with one user joking, “They can’t eject 21,000 people!”.

Harrison’s future remains uncertain, but the message from Dallas is clear: the generational cost of losing Dončić has shattered trust in the front office. As Dončić exited to chants of his own name, the duality of the night was unmistakable—a city mourning its hero while demanding accountability from those who let him go.

Why It Matters The backlash transcends sports, reflecting how deeply identity and civic pride intertwine with superstar athletes. Dončić’s departure—and the unprecedented fan revolt it sparked—serves as a cautionary tale for franchises weighing short-term gains against the bond between a player and his city. For now, “Fire Nico” isn’t just a chant; it’s a battle cry for a fanbase refusing to accept mediocrity.