👋 Good morning! - Nico Harrison got fired yesterday giving the Mavs their first real win of the 2025-2026 NBA season.

Also a reminder, ALLCITY NFL draft expert Fran Duffy has a new draft-focused newsletter? It drops every Friday and is packed with tons of information about the college game and the upcoming draft process. You can sign up just by clicking this link.

- Ali Jawad

The Dallas Mavericks finally pulled the plug Tuesday on the Nico Harrison era, ending a tenure that spiraled beyond repair after the stunning decision to trade Luka Dončić nearly a year ago.

What began as a bold attempt to reshape the roster devolved into a full-scale revolt, with “Fire Nico” chants echoing through the American Airlines Center for months as the franchise’s relationship with its fan base crumbled.

By the time Harrison met with team governor Patrick Dumont on Tuesday morning, the damage was done, the trust was gone, the results weren’t there, and the Mavericks were sinking.

The firing came as Dallas stumbled to a 3–8 start, hamstrung by an aging and injured roster that never meshed.

Anthony Davis managed only five appearances due to a lingering calf injury, Kyrie Irving remained sidelined following ACL surgery, and the offense fell onto the shoulders of 18-year-old Cooper Flagg, who showed flashes of superstardom but was miscast as the team’s primary initiator.

The franchise’s attempt to recalibrate after the Dončić trade instead exposed structural flaws that Harrison never corrected, leaving the Mavericks directionless and depleted.

Fan frustration reached a boiling point long before the front office made its move. The Dončić deal, intended to bring defensive balance and financial flexibility, was viewed by supporters as the dismantling of the team’s identity.

Protests outside the arena, nightly chants inside it, and the icy reception that greeted both Davis’ Dallas debut and Dončić’s emotional return as an opponent underscored how deeply the rift had grown.

With the team fading fast in the standings and the vibes at an all-time low, the Mavericks finally made a change.

So now what? Who can fix this mess? Can the Mavs recover anytime soon?

The Dallas Stars overcame a disastrous start and stunned the Ottawa Senators 3–2 in overtime on Tuesday night, snapping an eight-game winless streak in Canada’s capital.

After falling behind 2–0 in the first period, Jake Oettinger locked in and gave Dallas a chance, while Mikko Rantanen’s filthy breakaway goal sparked the comeback. Jason Robertson finally ended his nine-game goal drought with a clutch power-play snipe to tie it late in regulation.

Then Roope Hintz finished the job in overtime, burying the winner as the Stars continued their wild, confusing, but undeniably effective run of resilience.

We did our best, but we discussed the Cowboys path way to still trying to make playoffs even though it will take a lot for that to happen.

Also watch the end of yesterday’s show featuring Clarence Hill being Clarence Hill.

The Rangers’ offseason officially kicks off in Las Vegas, and the pressure is sky-high as Chris Young tries to upgrade the roster without blowing past the budget.

Texas needs a catcher, bullpen help, a true closer, and maybe even another starting arm, plus a jolt of offense.

The question now: can the front office thread the needle and build a contender without overspending in a crowded winter market?

Skip, eat a Snickers, you start losing your mind when you’re hungry.

Be sure to subscribe to our shows wherever you listen to your podcasts. Traffic can be the worst, and one of the best ways I get through it is by listening to the audio versions of our DLLS shows. You should, too!

Ali Jawad
Dallas Cowboys ​Content Creator/Newsletter Writer
[email protected]