The concept of home-court advantage is usually favorable in the NBA, but the atmosphere at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Saturday is expected to be anything but typical. This matchup marks the first home game for the Dallas Mavericks since trading star player Luka Dončić to the Los Angeles Lakers. Klay Thompson, a forward for the Golden State Warriors, has indicated that he anticipates a 'weird' environment as his team prepares to face off against the Houston Rockets.

'There will probably be a lot of heartbreak among the fans,' Thompson stated during a press conference on Thursday. He emphasized the professional obligation to handle the situation and perform at a high level, acknowledging that the fan base's attachment to Dončić would produce a distinctive challenge. 'We just need to win consistently to help ease the pain and anger of the fans,' he expressed. 'It is going to be strange, but that is part of what we sign up for.'

Demonstrating their dissatisfaction with the trade, Mavericks fans have already staged a protest outside the arena, expressing their sentiments with chants calling to 'sell the team.' Reports indicate that additional protests are anticipated during Saturday's game, alongside a Go Fund Me campaign that has raised $40,000 aimed at funding a billboard to critique general manager Nico Harrison and the Adelson family, who purchased the team last year. The trade of Dončić, a 25-year-old franchise icon, has sparked significant backlash. While acquiring Anthony Davis as part of the return addresses the team’s need for a star player, concerns over his durability as a 31-year-old also loom large. The only path for the Mavericks to mend their relationship with fans is through victory, as they demonstrated with a recent 127-120 win over the Boston Celtics, where Thompson contributed 25 points. His role in the offense will likely become even more prominent in the absence of Dončić.