For months, “Fire Nico Harrison” wasn’t just a chant, but it was a movement echoing through Dallas. From graffiti sprayed near the American Airlines Center to roars during Mavericks home games, fans made their frustrations crystal clear.
The uproar began after the Luka Dončić-for-Anthony Davis blockbuster trade on February 2. This move divided the fan base and set off months of tension within the Mavericks organization. Now, on November 11, the front office finally made the stunning call by firing general manager Nico Harrison after more than four years at the helm.
The decision immediately sent shockwaves through the NBA world, and following Wednesday night’s loss to the Phoenix Suns, rising rookie Cooper Flagg became the latest Maverick to address the situation.
What Has Cooper Flagg Said Regarding Nico Harrison’s Firing?
After the Mavericks’ 123–114 defeat to the Suns, Flagg was asked about Harrison’s dismissal during the postgame media session. The 18-year-old forward chose his words carefully, steering clear of controversy.
“It’s about basketball… He seemed like a really great guy… At the end of the day, I’m here to play basketball,” Flagg said. “Whatever goes on above me, it’s above me. I can’t worry about it too much. Just going to keep trying to show up and be who I am and try and get better every single day,” said Flagg during the postgame interview.
Cooper Flagg on Nico Harrison’s departure:
“From what I knew, he seemed like a great guy and we had a really solid relationship. At the end of the day I’m here to play basketball and whatever goes on above me, is above me.” pic.twitter.com/xquREflbDR
— Landon Thomas (@sixfivelando) November 13, 2025
If Flagg kept it steady, his mother, Kelly Flagg, let her feelings show online. In the hours after the announcement, she reposted a message on X arguing that the front office had become a significant issue and that change at the top was overdue. The repost ricocheted across aggregator accounts and talk shows, instantly becoming part of the story.
However, a few hours later, Kelly clarified her stance in a follow-up post. She explained that her intent wasn’t to imply the Mavericks should have fired Harrison, but rather to highlight how the “Fire Nico!” chants had become so deeply embedded in Dallas culture over the past months that it felt impossible to ignore.
“Retweet wasn’t about firing Nico. It was about the fact that the fans were chanting during our free throws. Our guys had nothing to do with what went down…It’s done now so we all need to move on. Hopefully better days ahead,” wrote Flagg’s mother on X.
On the court, Flagg is averaging 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game this season. Against Phoenix on Wednesday, he stepped forward offensively with 16 points, but it wasn’t enough to tilt the result.
The game followed a familiar script. Dallas opened flat, trailing by two after the first quarter and by 10 at halftime as the Suns’ second unit swung the momentum. Phoenix stretched its largest lead to 18 in the third, then closed with 28 points in the fourth, a final push the Mavericks couldn’t absorb.
Now, with Harrison officially out, all eyes turn to how Flagg and the rest of the Mavericks respond in the coming weeks.
