In a rare move by an NBA head coach, Kidd didn’t talk after the Mavericks’ overtime loss.
DALLAS — In a rare move by an NBA head coach, Jason Kidd skipped his postgame interview Monday night after the Mavericks’ overtime loss to the Sacramento Kings.
It’s not clear why Kidd missed the standard postgame media availability. But it capped a night, for Mavericks fans, that felt like nothing short of a kick in the gut.
While Dallas narrowly lost in overtime, Luka Doncic was making his debut for the Los Angeles Lakers, wowing a star-studded crowd with his signature stepback move. Mavericks legend Dirk Nowitzki was in attendance for Doncic’s debut , sitting with Doncic’s father in support of the former Dallas star.
Back in Dallas, not only did the Mavericks take the loss, but they saw another key player, Daniel Gafford, go down with an injury. And in the crowd, American Airlines Center security removed a fan who mouthed “Fire Nico” on the jumbotron. The fan was escorted out of the arena to a chorus of booing fans, all while general manager Nico Harrison and team governor Patrick Dumont sat near courtside.
One bright spot for the Mavericks on Monday came in an ironic way: Because Anthony Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks with an adductor strain injury, Mavericks guard Kyrie Irving will take his place at the upcoming All-Star Game.
Irving scored 30 points to lead the Mavericks on Monday night in the loss to the Kings. Dallas lost in overtime after DeMar DeRozan hit a 13-foot floater with two seconds left in the game.
The Mavericks host the Golden State Warriors at American Airlines Center on Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m.
