Fans protest Luka’s trade before game
By Dorothy J. Gentry
Photos: Dorothy J. Gentry and Charles “City” Gbadebo
Anthony Davis made himself right at home Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd at American Airlines Center.
In his first game as a Dallas Maverick since being traded to the team last week, Davis came out on fire – dropping six points, four rebounds, three assists and one block in less than five minutes against the visiting Houston Rockets.
The fans, already reeling from the trading of star Luka Dončić, held their collective breath when Davis went to the locker room late in the third quarter with a “lower body injury” per Mavs PR, and did not return to the game.
The Mavs still beat the Rockets, 116-105 in large part due to Davis’ hot start and contributions in the first half. He finished with 26 points, 16 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks
Postgame in the locker room he said he was doing okay and felt fine. “The leg got tight — like a little spasm,” Davis said. “I came back and tried to get it loose and everything. Obviously, I’m dealing with the ab strain, still.
“I just tried to get it loose. It wouldn’t really like loosen up and let go. But it’s nothing serious. I’m fine. (It’s in) the groin/quad kind of area. It’s right in the middle.”
Other than the injury, Davis had a perfect start to his Mavs career.
“Obviously it was an emotional day – my first game here in Dallas – just from the standpoint of being on a new team,” Davis said. “First time putting the (Mavs’) uniform on, so a lot of emotions before game time.
“All day I was trying to figure out what reaction I was going to have, and obviously it was welcoming, and I think that just kind of helped with my energy with the crowd reacting the way they did. Obviously, a big-time win and we’ll just try to keep it going.”
The other new Maverick player, Max Christie, scored 23 points. “That was a lot of fun. The energy from the fan base was unbelievable,” he said.
Fans hold protest before game
Before the Mavs brought the heat inside AAC, hundreds of fans brought the head outside the AAC with a protest against Mavs GM Nico Harrison and the new Mavs ownership.
With signs, bullhorns, specially made t-shirts and more, the MFFL’s (Mavs Fans For Life) expressed their displeasure at the surprising trade of Dončić after 7 years in Dallas.
They also called for the team to be sold – again. Longtime owner Mark Cuban sold the team last year to the family of Miriam Adelson, who run the Las Vegas Sands casino company; Patrick Dumont, Adelson’s son-in-law, is the team governor and gave the final approval on the trade. The Mavs improved to 28-25 and will host the Sacramento Kings at home on Monday night.
