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Dallas Mavericks once again host NBA Finals. Here’s how fans are experiencing the moment

Family members and friends posed for photos in front of a cut-out of the Larry O’Brien trophy as thousands of fans stood by the front of the stadium.

From courtside dances to chicken hats, there are many ways Dallas Mavericks fans show their support. Here are 10 things that define die-hard Mavs fans.
Update:
Updated at 11:15 p.m.: Revised after the Dallas Mavericks' Game 3 loss to the Boston Celtics.

While it certainly didn’t appear like the Dallas Mavericks were in the NBA Finals for the first time in 13 years in parts of downtown Dallas, it was evident on the outskirts of American Airlines Center.

On the front of the arena, silver, blue and golden streamers were set up on the upper edge. As people entered, they walked through a white tent that had “NBA Finals” written in gold letters.

Family members and friends posed for photos in front of a cutout of the Larry O’Brien trophy as thousands of fans stood by the front of the building. Rectangular cutouts of the team’s key playoff performers stood along a blue carpet, with the team’s stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving out in front.

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But in hushed tones and whispers, the shadow of the Mavericks’ 2011 Finals run hung over the atmosphere. People asked staff before tipoff — how does it compare to that moment? And are you nervous as the Mavericks are down 2-0 to the Boston Celtics?

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“It was madness [in 2011],” said Christopher McJamson, who’s part of the Mavs ManiAACs dance troupe. “Because it was our second finals, so it was madness in 2006 and 2007, madness in 2011 and here we are again, madness in 2024.

McJamson, who goes by the dance name “One Love,” had a Mavericks championship ring on his ring finger. With the team back at home, he said he’s confident the Mavericks can pull out a win.

Following Wednesday night’s loss, the Mavericks will have to make NBA history to win it all. No NBA team has come back to win a playoff series down 3-0. The moment was marked with an early somber tone as the NBA announced the death of legend Jerry West, whose silhouette is the league’s logo. The league held a tribute for West, an NBA champion and Hall of Famer, before tipoff.

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The 2011 title-winning team’s players were also in attendance, including Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler and Corey Brewer.

With Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis ruled out due to a leg injury, Dallas had some fortune on their side.

“Even if he was here, it would be even sweeter to see him lose on home court,” McJamson said.

Since 2011, when she was in seventh grade, Jocelyn Ruiz has been a fan of the Mavericks. Although she couldn’t get a ticket to Wednesday’s game, she was watching from the televisions at a nearby business. To prepare for the big occasion, she spray-painted her hair and painted her face in team colors — blue on the left and white on the right.

Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki laughs with others as he shot hoops outside the...
Former Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki laughs with others as he shot hoops outside the American Airlines Center in Dallas before Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics, June 12, 2024.(Tom Fox / Staff Photographer)

On Monday, she even designed her nails, Ruiz said. On her left hand were the words “let’s go Mavs” and “MFFL,” short for Mavs Fan for Life. On her right hand, she had the numbers of Doncic, Irving, Mavericks forward P.J. Washington Jr. and center Dereck Lively II in a black outline.

“I’ll do anything for this team,” said Ruiz, 27. “I spray-painted my hair. I’ve gone to all of the [playoff] games. I’ve gone to the OKC [Oklahoma City Thunder], to the [Los Angeles] Clippers, to the [Minnesota] Timberwolves.”

The additions the Mavericks made at the trade deadline with center Daniel Gafford and Washington have made the difference this playoff run, Ruiz said, coupled with the dynamic scoring duo of Doncic and Irving.

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“I’m ready to literally cry of just emotions of happiness, I’m just so ready,” Ruiz said.

James Hay, 33, and Conner Diaz, 30, came to enjoy the game together, but Hay sported a Celtics’ Jaylen Brown jersey and green hat while Diaz wore a blue Doncic jersey with a blue hat. In the months prior, they wondered whether a championship series between these two teams was ever possible.

“We were, like, to each other, like, early in the playoffs, and we’re like, ‘man, could you imagine if it’s Mavs-Celtics,’” Hay said.

James Hay, 33, (left) and Conner Diaz, 30, pose for a photo before NBA Finals Game 3 at...
James Hay, 33, (left) and Conner Diaz, 30, pose for a photo before NBA Finals Game 3 at American Airlines Center on June 12, 2024.(Zaeem Shaikh/The Dallas Morning News)
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The two used to live in Dallas together but Hay now lives in Denver, Colorado, he said. With the NBA Finals in Dallas, he planned a trip to see Diaz that included a “spirited golf competition.”

Hay said he believes the Mavericks will ultimately win a game or two this series but that his beloved franchise will win the championship. As he gave his prediction, Diaz shook his head in disbelief.

Hay was one of the many Celtics fans in attendance, including Vasti Cruz, who became a fan of the team growing up in Chicago. Sporting team colors, she wore a Celtics NBA Finals shirt, a green purse and team earrings.

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Without Porzingis in the lineup, she wasn’t worried, saying, “They’ve had a great record without him.” Boston is 30-5 this season without the forward in the rotation.

As fans reveled in the celebration outside, MFFLs carried mementos from the team’s 2011 victory in hopes it’ll bring this group of players some good luck. Tommy Walker, 37, wore Hall of Famer Nowitzki’s jersey that had his achievements stitched into the fabric: an NBA MVP, a Finals MVP and the 2011 NBA Championship.

“We need all the help we can get,” Walker said.

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