The Mavericks are now out of playoff contention after a devastating 115-112 loss to the Bulls on Friday night. Dallas could have grabbed the No. 10 seed if they could win the final two games and the Oklahoma City Thunder lost to the Memphis Grizzles, albeit with their loss yesterday the Thunder successfully included their name in the play-in round.
Four of the top eight players of the Mavs including Kyrie Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., Maxi Kleber, and Christian Wood were out of the court from the beginning and Luca Donic was initially given the green signal to play, albeit he too was out of the field at the end of the first quarter after only being featured in the opening frame.
After the match, the Mavs’ coach Jason Kidd disclosed it was the decision of the franchise’s owner Mark Cuban and general manager Nico Harrison to rest the players in the game and he too seemed quite disappointed over the fact.
Mavs fans slammed the Mavericks team for the intentional loss
Fans are more furious at the Mavs management’s sudden decision late Friday morning to sit out the five key players in such a crucial match and expressed their outrage over social media by blaming Cuban and the team for a predetermined loss.
Idk bro based on the ending they clearly didn’t want to make the playoffs, which is honestly sad
— PeeweeDaPlug Burner (@sjav30) April 8, 2023
Playoffs without Kyrie pic.twitter.com/hJjYZImUoY
— 𝑲𝒚𝒓𝒊𝒆𝑺𝒛𝒏🌴 (@HeatSznn) April 8, 2023
A fan tweeted he had been a fan of the Mavs for 30+ years, got detached from his family for his crazy love toward the team, and now with the devastating performance of Dallas, his long support just ended in smoke.
I’ve been a Mavericks fan for 30+ years. I thought this team was special. I sold my wife’s brand new car behind her back so I could have more to empty the bank on Mavericks futures. Now my wife left me. The kids hate me. I’m now broke without a wife all thanks to you @dallasmavs
— Davey (@BumbacoDavey) April 8, 2023
Some users were claiming the league to investigate the Mavs for intentionally losing the match.
they need to be investigated for giving up the game like that
— Splizzyy (@SplizzyyC) April 8, 2023
Many fans were also trolling the Mavericks player with memes.
Luka and Kyrie in the locker room pic.twitter.com/cx1J3BdNTv
— 𝐊𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐦𝐢 (@papyfaye1) April 8, 2023
https://twitter.com/GoloFromKyotoo/status/1644531174835113984?t=X-cJ5ng26firnngb9Aknzg&s=19
A user sarcastically tweeted Kyrie requested a trade just to go to a team that didn’t even make the Play In.
Kyrie requested a trade just to go to a team that didn’t even make the Play In 🤣😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/OXgzTTGQOo
— Bray Wyatt Forever. (@Wyatt4Ever_) April 8, 2023
However, many fans also came in support of Kyrie saying the 31-year-old did his best and it was Cuban to sit him out.
I don’t wanna see no comments, blaming Kyrie sure the trade wasn’t a perfect fit but you can’t say it’s his fault. He did his best cuban probably made him sit out to
— . (@xLogicxl) April 8, 2023
With the Mavericks out of the playoff race, the NBA playoffs will undoubtedly see a shift in dynamics as one of the league’s most exciting young teams will be absent. Meanwhile, fans continued to react with disbelief and ridicule over their disappointing season and missed playoff opportunity.
As the playoffs continue, fans eagerly await to see which team will ultimately be crowned the 2023 NBA champion.
Do you also think that it was a predetermined plan to lose the match? You can share your thoughts with us in the comments.
