The Dallas Mavericks suffered another tough loss on Sunday, falling 130-125 to the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite putting up strong collective numbers, the team still seems to be missing something to elevate them into a true contender. That missing piece? Health. Injuries have significantly impacted the Mavs’ season, and head coach Jason Kidd acknowledged how they have reshaped the team’s preseason expectations.
Speaking to reporters before the game, Kidd addressed the impact of injuries on the team’s performance. “It’s part of the sport—injuries happen,” Kidd said. “You have to continue pushing forward… For us, understanding that expectations are part of the game. But being able to keep playing hard, controlling our energy and effort, that’s what this group is doing.”
Dallas entered the 2024-25 season with high hopes after a strong run to the NBA Finals last year. However, things have not gone according to plan. A rash of injuries has plagued the roster, and the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade before the February deadline sent shockwaves throughout the league.
The Mavs have been without key stars Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis for extended stretches, with Davis yet to complete a full game since joining the franchise. As a result, the team has struggled to find consistency.
Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks lies on the court after suffering an injury against the Sacramento Kings on March 03, 2025.
P.J. Washington responds to “fire Nico” chants
The frustration among Mavericks fans has been evident. During Sunday’s game, a fan loudly yelled “Fire Nico” while P.J. Washington was at the free-throw line, referring to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison. Many fans have voiced their displeasure with the front office since the departure of Doncic, and the discontent has been hard to ignore.
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Washington, however, made it clear that the team is fed up with the negativity. “At the end of the day, the trades happened. We understand we have a new team now,” Washington said. “All that ‘Fire Nico’ stuff, we’re just sick and tired of hearing it. We just want to go out and play and have the fans support us.”
Max Christie stays neutral on fan backlash
Guard Max Christie was also asked about the criticism directed at Harrison and the NBA organization. While he acknowledged the frustration from the fanbase, he was reluctant to comment on the situation.
“Definitely not pleasant to hear, but I can’t really comment much on that, to be honest,” Christie said. However, he did elaborate on how the team is handling the ongoing distractions.
“We’re professionals, and our job is to come out here and perform regardless of the circumstances,” he added. “We get paid a lot of money to play basketball. There will always be distractions, but we have to move forward and not let them affect us.”
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As the Mavericks attempt to salvage their season, the organization finds itself at a crossroads. Will the team be able to overcome its injuries and prove the doubters wrong? Or will the frustrations of fans continue to mount as the losses pile up?
