‘The Energy Was Great’: Dallas Mavericks Praise Fans For Resetting Atmosphere After Turbulent Week

Grant AfsethNovember 13, 2025November 13, 2025no comment

Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

The Dallas Mavericks walked into American Airlines Center on Wednesday carrying the weight of a chaotic 48 hours — the firing of general manager Nico Harrison, the fallout from the now-infamous “Fire Nico” chants, and a roster stretched thin by injuries. But when they took the floor, something felt different.

For the first time in weeks, the arena sounded fully like home again. The fans in the building delivered steady, loud support throughout the night, and several Mavericks said the positive energy mattered just as much as the game itself.

After the 123–114 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Klay Thompson, Cooper Flagg, and Jason Kidd all praised the renewed tone inside the arena, while acknowledging the emotional backdrop that made Wednesday’s environment so meaningful.

A Turbulent Week Resets the Tone

Hours earlier, Kidd had described Harrison’s dismissal as a difficult moment for the organization.

“Yesterday was a tough day for everyone in the organization,” Kidd said pregame. “Anytime you lose someone you’ve spent the last four years with, it’s tough.”

Players echoed that sentiment. Daniel Gafford called the news “a big surprise.” P.J. Washington said he reached out privately to thank Harrison, adding, “We found out like everyone else — on Twitter.”

And before tip-off, Kidd directly addressed the “Fire Nico” chants that rang out during Washington’s free throws on Monday — a moment he described bluntly as harmful.

“We can only hope we don’t have to go through that again, because it was disrespectful,” Kidd said. “The guys are playing hard and trying to win.”

Washington agreed: “It didn’t feel like people were cheering us on.”

So when fans returned Wednesday with unified cheers — not anger — it didn’t go unnoticed.

Klay Thompson: “I Can Feel Them Ready to Rally Behind Us”

Klay Thompson led Dallas with 19 points and a season-high six 3-pointers, but his postgame remarks centered on the crowd.

“The energy was great,” Thompson said. “When we cut it to four points, I thought our fans did a tremendous job giving us a boost.”

He said the players felt a shift — not just in volume but in spirit.

“I can feel them ready to rally behind us,” Thompson continued. “We have to give them something to cheer for on a nightly basis. We want to give them a great product on the floor.”

For a team that’s endured boos, chants directed at the front office, and an uncomfortable atmosphere at home, Thompson’s tone was unmistakably appreciative.

Cooper Flagg: “They Were Huge — They Were Loud, They Were Positive”

Rookie forward Cooper Flagg, who finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals, and two blocks, described the support as a turning point.

Setting up his praise, Flagg admitted the team hasn’t played well enough to earn much cheering lately.

“I think we have not given the fans a lot to love,” Flagg said. “We haven’t given them more to cheer for in the fourth quarters.”

But on Wednesday, he felt the arena respond.

“When they stepped up tonight, they were huge — they were loud, they were positive,” Flagg said. “I want to look forward and give them more to be positive about and show up and be happy they support us.”

Jason Kidd: “Energy Was Good”

Jason Kidd, who had spent two days navigating questions about the firing, fan behavior, and team morale, said the players noticed the difference immediately.

“It was good. Energy was good,” Kidd said. “I thought the group got off to a good start.”

He also reiterated what he had warned pregame — that the team needs a supportive environment to grow, not one where frustration turns inward.

“The guys hear those things, and they feel disrespected,” Kidd said earlier in the day. “It’s hard to keep players in this league if they feel like the home arena is a visiting place. Hopefully that changes tonight.”

On Wednesday, he said it did.

A Needed Reset as the Season Moves Forward

The Mavericks did not get the win. They remain 3–9 and continue to battle injuries to Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, Kyrie Irving. and Danté Exum.

But for a team that has endured a bruising stretch — organizational upheaval, public chants, a disrupted locker room, and a roster battered by injuries — the renewed home atmosphere offered something they needed just as much as a victory: relief.

Thompson said it. Flagg said it. Kidd said it. And the message was the same. The fans showed up differently, and it mattered.

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Grant Afseth

Senior Writer

Grant Afseth is a Senior Writer for DallasHoopsJournal.com, where he leads in-depth coverage of the Mavericks, Wings, and more. Between a focus on the latest news, closer looks at games, front office strategy, and more, Afseth provides objective coverage. Afseth contributes broader NBA coverage across platforms and has been cited in national outlets for his reporting and analysis. With nearly a decade of journalism experience, Afseth has covered the NBA and WNBA for multiple major outlets, including Athlon Sports, BallIsLife, Sportskeeda, and RG.org. He previously reported on the Indiana Pacers for CNHI’s Kokomo Tribune and the Mavericks for FanNation.

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