Mavericks fans bring back 'Fire Nico' chants during humiliating loss

Dallas Mavericks fans brought back the infamous "Fire Nico" chants Friday as their team suffered a humiliating 117-107 loss to the Washington Wizards, one of the worst teams in the league.

The chants, aimed at Mavericks GM Nico Harrison, started when the franchise shockingly traded Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers last season. However, they seemed to dissipate after the Mavs won the 2025 NBA draft lottery and selected Cooper Flagg with the No. 1 overall pick. It was widely believed that the fanbase was over the Doncic trade after landing a generational talent in Flagg, but the team's lackluster start to the new season has seemingly reignited bitterness towards Harrison. 

Jason Kidd addresses "Fire Nico" chants

It would be one thing to lose close games, but the Mavericks were essentially routed in their first two games. After losing 125-92 to the San Antonio Spurs on opening night, the Mavericks never led against the lowly Wizards after the first quarter of Friday's loss.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd addressed the fanbase's frustration after his team fell into a 0-2 hole to start the new season. 

"I think they have a right to vent," Kidd said, via FanSided's Noah Weber. "This is a different team, this is a new team. We’re just getting to understand each other, we’re gonna keep learning each other. I would say be patient, but I understand the frustration, we all want to win. We all want to compete at a high level. This is a game of expression, and the fans have a right to express themselves..."

Dallas Mavericks have a PG problem

Kidd has faced some criticism for starting Flagg at point guard, a position his prized rookie did not play in high school or college. After finishing with zero assists in his debut, Flagg had a better showing on Friday, posting 18 points, six assists and five rebounds. 

However, the Duke alum committed five turnovers and didn't always look comfortable in the role of a floor general. Flagg has been tasked with the role due to the injury to Kyrie Irving, who isn't expected to return from his ACL tear until the second half of the season.

The Mavericks had signed D'Angelo Russell to fill the void at PG, but Kidd has not trusted the veteran guard through the first two games. Russell played only nine minutes off the bench on Friday, as the Mavericks were without a natural ball-handler on the floor.

After the loss, Kidd admitted that the Mavericks are "short-handed" at the PG position, but did not rule out a bigger role for Russell.

The Mavericks (0-2) will try to snap their losing streak when they host the Toronto Raptors (1-1) on Sunday.