Mavericks fans ejected over 'Fire Nico' protests amid growing animosity over Luka Doncic trade
Security escorted out several fans that either held up "Fire Nico" signs or shouted out the phrase during the Mavericks' one-point loss to the Sacramento Kings.
During a karaoke segment where fans sang along to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance With Somebody," one man was shown on the Jumbotron mouthing the phrase "Fire Nico."
The camera quickly panned away.
That same man was also seen holding a sign with the same phrasing. He and another man holding the sign were later seen being escorted away from their seats in a video shared on social media.
According to The Dallas Morning News, two more fans were escorted out in the fourth quarter. Each time, the escorts were met by boos from fans in the surrounding area.
Doncic led the NBA in scoring last season and helped the Mavericks reach an NBA Finals appearance, but was dealt away to the Los Angeles Lakers in one of the most controversial trades in recent memory.
Fans have since expressed their disdain for Harrison, the mastermind behind the trade, prompting the organization to reportedly increase his security before Saturday's game over the weekend.
The Lakers acquired Doncic, Maxi Kleber and Markieff Morris, while the Mavericks got Anthony Davis, Max Christie and Los Angeles' 2029 first-round pick. To complete the deal, the Utah Jazz acquired Jalen Hood-Schifino and two second-round picks.
But Davis sustained a groin injury in his debut for Dallas and will be sidelined at least through the All-Star break.
Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
20 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Tigers at Pirates Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 22
It's Tuesday, July 22 and the Tigers (60-41) are in Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates (40-61). Casey Mize is slated to take the mound for Detroit against Mitch Keller for Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh took Game 1 of the series, 3-0 to break a three-game losing streak. Detroit is 1-3 since the break, like Pittsburgh, but the Tigers have scored three runs in four games compared to the Buccos' who scored 10. Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long. Game details & how to watch Tigers at Pirates Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Time: 6:40PM EST Site: PNC Park City: Pittsburgh, PA Network/Streaming: FDSNDT, SNP Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out. Odds for the Tigers at the Pirates The latest odds as of Tuesday: Moneyline: Tigers (-147), Pirates (+123) Spread: Tigers -1.5 Total: 8.0 runs Probable starting pitchers for Tigers at Pirates Pitching matchup for July 22, 2025: Casey Mize vs. Mitch Keller Tigers: Casey Mize, (9-3, 3.15 ERA) Last outing: 3.0 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 StrikeoutsPirates: Mitch Keller, (3-10, 3.48 ERA) Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts Tigers: Casey Mize, (9-3, 3.15 ERA) Last outing: 3.0 Innings Pitched, 6 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 1 Walk, and 4 Strikeouts Pirates: Mitch Keller, (3-10, 3.48 ERA) Last outing: 6.0 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 4 Hits Allowed, 0 Walks, and 3 Strikeouts Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type! Expert picks & predictions for tonight's game between the Tigers and the Pirates 'Entering the All-Star break, Skenes had a 1.19 ERA in career wins compared to a 2.39 ERA in losses or non-decisions, so either way, he hasn't been the Buccos' problem since he arrived. This year alone, Skenes has allowed 27 runs over 20 starts and the Pirates have lost 11 of those 20 games! Pittsburgh's offense has scored the fewest runs in not just the NL, but all of baseball — even the Rockies and White Sox. For more context, the Phillies have scored 112 more runs than the Pirates in one less game. Both Skenes and Wheeler will be dominant in the second-half, I have no doubts, but Skenes could post a sub 2.00 ERA this season (was doing so through 19 starts), sub .200 OBA, and still have a losing record, which on surface level makes no sense. Despite how it looks or sounds, I think what Skenes is doing weighs more impressive, challenging, and deserving than what Wheeler is doing.' Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Tigers and the Pirates: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Detroit Tigers on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Pittsburgh Pirates at +1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0. Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC. Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Tigers at Pirates Detroit is 11-5 when Mize pitches this season Pittsburgh is 6-14 when Keller pitches this season The Tigers have won 24 of 41 games following a defeat In 8 of the Pirates' last 10 games with Mitch Keller starting the Under has cashed With Mitch Keller starting the Pirates have covered the Run Line in 7 of their last 9 games If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
22 minutes ago
Venus Williams wins a doubles match at Washington in her first tournament in more than a year
WASHINGTON -- Competing at a tournament for the first time in more than a year, and in doubles for the first time in nearly three, Venus Williams hit a big serve on her initial delivery at the DC Open on Monday and, curiously, it was wiped out by a foot-fault call. The 45-year-old Williams, an owner of 21 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles, smiled incredulously, as did the other three players involved in the match in front of a full crowd that eventually included NBA star Kevin Durant. And then Williams carried on, displaying her trademark power on some strokes while teaming with Hailey Baptiste for a 6-3, 6-1 victory against 2014 Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard and Clervie Ngounoue. 'It's just nice to be able to play. Where I am at this year is so much different where I was at last year. It's night and day, being able to be here and prepare for the tournament as opposed to preparing for surgery a year ago,' said Williams, who spoke in an interview with NBC earlier this month about having a procedure to remove fibroids from her uterus. 'At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter if your health is not there. So it definitely put it in perspective for me and maybe made it easier to make the decision to maybe come back out here and maybe play even freer.' Her most recent match had been at the Miami Open in March 2024, and she said Sunday she had two goals in Washington: to have fun and to win. She did both — winning, yes, and contributing plenty to the cause, but also having a good time, high-fiving or fist-bumping Baptiste after some of their best points, laughing after others and waving to an appreciative group of fans that roared over and over for Williams. She and Baptiste hugged when it ended. 'The crowd was insane. From the moment we stepped out of the players area, you could kind of feel the buzz. Walking onto the court, just felt all the love for the both of us,' said Baptiste, a 23-year-old from Washington. 'I was obviously very nervous to play with her. I didn't want to let her down, first match back and everything." It was full at 3,000-seat John Harris Court, where Durant showed up late in the first set, while across the way at the 7,500-capacity main stadium, only a few dozen spectators were scattered in the stands for an all-American singles match in which Reilly Opelka defeated Murphy Cassone. Asked to comment about the court assignments, tournament director Daniel Vallverdú said: 'The tournament works to balance full singles and doubles ATP and WTA schedules, while coordinating with broadcaster requests for court assignments.' When Williams, wearing a white visor as she so often has, was introduced before participating in doubles for the first time since the 2022 U.S. Open — when her partner was younger sister Serena — the stadium announcer mentioned that Venus has 'one of the best serves in the history of the game,' that she 'turned pro in the last century' and 'has won everything.' That includes seven major singles trophies — five at Wimbledon, two at the U.S. Open — and an additional 14 in doubles with Serena, plus four Olympic gold medals. 'She's 14 years older than me and still plugging away,' said Bouchard, 31, a former top-five player who announced that next week's tournament in Montreal will be the last of her career. 'I have nothing but respect for her. She's such a legend. That was a pretty cool crowd for a doubles match.' They sure were into it Monday, standing with phone cameras raised high when Venus first appeared at the court — and again when it ended. There will be other opportunities to see her this week: In singles, Williams was scheduled to play Tuesday night against Peyton Stearns, a 23-year-old American currently ranked No. 35 who won NCAA singles and team championships at the University of Texas.
NBC Sports
an hour ago
- NBC Sports
Red Sox at Phillies Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends and stats for July 22
It's Tuesday, July 22 and the Red Sox (54-48) are in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (57-43). Richard Fitts is slated to take the mound for Boston against Cristopher Sánchez for Philadelphia. The Phillies won the series opener, 3-2, in extra innings on walk-off catchers interference call with the bases loaded. Talk about dramatic. Boston is 1-3 since the All-Star break, while Philadelphia is 2-2 — both losing the first series of the second-half. The Red Sox have scored three total runs in their three losses and six in their lone win during this stretch. Let's dive into the matchup and find a sweat or two. We've got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch first pitch, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Follow Rotoworld Player News for the latest fantasy and betting player news and analysis all season long. Game details & how to watch Red Sox at Phillies Date: Tuesday, July 22, 2025 Time: 6:45PM EST Site: Citizens Bank Park City: Philadelphia, PA Network/Streaming: NESN, NBCSP, TBS Never miss a second of the action and stay up-to-date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day MLB schedule page, along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game with every out. Odds for the Red Sox at the Phillies The latest odds as of Tuesday: Moneyline: Red Sox (+168), Phillies (-204) Spread: Phillies -1.5 Total: 8.0 runs Probable starting pitchers for Red Sox at Phillies Pitching matchup for July 22, 2025: Richard Fitts vs. Cristopher Sánchez Red Sox: Richard Fitts, (1-3, 4.28 ERA) Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 6 StrikeoutsPhillies: Cristopher Sánchez, (8-2, 2.50 ERA) Last outing: 7.1 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts Red Sox: Richard Fitts, (1-3, 4.28 ERA) Last outing: 5.2 Innings Pitched, 2 Earned Runs Allowed, 5 Hits Allowed, 1 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez, (8-2, 2.50 ERA) Last outing: 7.1 Innings Pitched, 1 Earned Runs Allowed, 6 Hits Allowed, 3 Walks, and 6 Strikeouts Rotoworld still has you covered with all the latest MLB player news for all 30 teams. Check out the feed page right here on NBC Sports for headlines, injuries and transactions where you can filter by league, team, positions and news type! Expert picks & predictions for tonight's game between the Red Sox and the Phillies 'Boston has the third-toughest remaining strength of schedule (.516 winning %). Let's look at the first 15 games of the second half for Boston: 3 road games at the Cubs (1-2 record) 3 road games at the Phillies (0-1 record) 3 home games vs the Dodgers 3 road games at the Twins 3 home games vs the Astros That schedule alone could put them behind and make a +105 to -115 bet became -200 to -300 quickly. During the All-Star break, I played Boston at plus-money to miss the postseason and think it's still a good bet after losing three of four after the break.' Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the MLB calendar based on data points like past performance, player matchups, ballpark information and weather forecasts. Once the model is finished running, we put its projection next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday's game between the Red Sox and the Phillies: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is recommending a play on the Philadelphia Phillies on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Boston Red Sox at +1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the over on the Game Total of 8.0. Want even more MLB best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert MLB Predictions page from NBC. Top betting trends & insights to know ahead of Red Sox at Phillies Philly is 14-5 when Sanchez pitches this season Boston is 2-6 when Fitts pitches this season but won the last two The Phillies have won 4 of their last 5 matchups against AL East teams The Under is 4-1 in the Red Sox's last 5 games The Phillies have failed to cover in their last 3 games against the Red Sox If you're looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our MLB Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
