The first game of the post-Nico Harrison era at American Airlines Center featured a different vibe for the Dallas Mavericks.
There were no “Fire Nico!” chants. Instead, the passionate fan base exerted that energy into cheering for their team throughout the night, just as Jason Kidd and the rest of the Mavericks hoped.
Chants of “DEFENSE!” AND “LET’S GO, MAVS!” set the stage for a thrilling fourth quarter as the Mavs trimmed what was once an 18-point deficit to three with 1:48 left. It was a welcome sound for the home team, but wasn’t enough to help them put the ball in the basket when they needed to most.
After playing in a hostile environment for the majority of their home games, the Mavericks regained their homecourt advantage but suffered a 123-114 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3) and Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) sit on the bench during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns at American Airlines Center, Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025, in Dallas.
Chitose Suzuki / Staff Photographer
The Mavericks are now 3-9 overall and 2-6 at home. They remain with the second-worst record in the Western Conference because New Orleans also lost on Wednesday.
Mavericks fans may have gotten their wish by seeing Harrison dismissed, but what happened on the court was more of the same. Another night of a struggling offense that couldn’t get started until it was too late. Another night of bad turnovers. And another night that featured an injury to a key player.
After an impressive 5½-minute stretch to start the game, P.J. Washington checked out of the game at the 6:35 mark of the first quarter because of a left shoulder strain and did not return, leaving the Mavericks without one of their best perimeter defenders.
“I thought the group played hard but to lose him five minutes into the game with a left shoulder strain, that put us down a guy who was playing well for us,” Kidd said.
Dallas had a 17-9 lead at the time Washington exited, but Phoenix finished the quarter on a 12-0 run. The scoring spree allowed the Suns to find a rhythm offensively, especially from beyond the arc. Phoenix connected on 40% of its 3-pointers. The Suns had five players in double figures, led by Devin Booker’s 26 points and nine assists.
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The Mavericks had six players reach double figures, led by Klay Thompson’s season-high 19 points off the bench. He made 6 of 16 from beyond the arc and played a key role in Dallas’ comeback effort.
Brandon Williams had perhaps his best overall night of the season, finishing with 17 points, five rebounds and nine assists. Christie added 12 points, six rebounds and seven assists.
Cooper Flagg, who was coming off the best game of his young career, showcased his versatility and finished with 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks, including one of Booker that left Mavericks fans cheering.
“I think we have not given the fans a lot to love,” Flagg said. “I think that is part of it and I think we take a lot of responsibility on that and having lost the fans a little bit. … The fans have been there. They stepped up tonight. They were huge. They were loud. They were positive.”
He went to the locker room in the first quarter after aggravating his left shoulder, which he injured on Oct. 27 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but returned after a few minutes. It didn’t appear to affect him, especially on the defensive end. Flagg said he was “banged up” and said his body is adjusting to the rigorous NBA schedule, but assured he would be all right.
“He got hurt, but I thought he came back and played at a high level,” Kidd said. “He’s a tough kid. There’s no quit in him and I think you can see that his spirit goes throughout the team.”
Dallas entered the game with a record of 2-6 in clutch games, which are defined as a game with a five-point margin within the final five minutes. Kidd attributed the loss to turnovers. The Mavericks had 21 turnovers, including six in the fourth quarter.
“The margin is so small for us,” Kidd said. “When we’re behind, we can’t turn the ball over. We gotta get shots.”
Kidd acknowledged the energy in the arena was good after saying he thought fans were being disrespectful by chanting while the Mavericks were at the free throw line in Monday’s loss to Milwaukee.
They’ll need a repeat effort from their home fans to snap their two-game losing streak in Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
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