It’s wild how one win can feel like a sigh of relief and a reality check all in one, right? The Dallas Mavericks pulled off a miserable win against the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament. This should have been something that should’ve sparked celebration among the fanbase. But nope! It felt less like a celebration and more like a last chance from the fans. Want to know what happened?

Well, when a generational talent like Luka Doncic is traded away, every single sour moment becomes headlines. Every shot, every injury, every loss (and win) now sits under a spotlight of scrutiny. And while the Dallas victory over the Kings gave fans a glimpse of what president Nico Harrison’s post-Luka Doncic vision could look like—a team that grinds out wins, defends hard, and plays with chemistry—the mood around the fanbase still feels… shaky. And that shakiness didn’t go unnoticed on national TV either.

On FanDuel TV, former NBA guard Lou Williams didn’t hold back when breaking down the fan sentiment in Dallas. “They can make some noise, they can be disruptive, but I don’t think that quiets all of the negativity down,” he said, bluntly summing up the mood. “They have to almost get to the Western Conference Finals for this fan base to feel satisfied.” And he’s not wrong!

Fans have been letting loose with frustration after nearly every game, flooding social media with criticism, memes, and more. Even after the win against the Kings, the post-game buzz was more like, “Well, that’s nice… but what now?” Williams continued, “Just being in a play-in and getting the 8th seed, that’s not going to be sustainable to this fan base based on what they feel.” Winning helped, sure. But as he put it, “They gotta win a lot to cure this.”

Chandler Pearson, also on the panel, saw it differently—he saw it as the first real step in what Nico Harrison’s been preaching since the blockbuster Luka Doncic trade. “You don’t trade Luka for a play-in and eighth seed possibility,” Pearson said. “This is the step of the vision that Nico is talking about.” He emphasized the importance of next season when the team is fully healthy, drawing a comparison to the Lakers’ own injury battles with Anthony Davis. There’s hope in Dallas, but right now, it’s hope with bruises and bandages. The vision has started, yes—but it’s not yet clear, and certainly not complete.

The Mavs are adjusting to life after Luka Doncic

Since trading Luka Dončić to the Lakers earlier this season, the Mavericks have struggled to find their footing this season. Their offense has shown promise, the defense has also improved. The only thing keeping them away from their former glory is the injuries. Key players have missed long stretches this season. Their rotation has been unstable, and the chemistry looks like a roadblock. Fans lately haven’t exactly embraced the rebuilding effort with open arms. Every post-game press conference feels like a therapy session. Even their wins are mostly followed by questions rather than celebrations.

Nico Harrison’s vision always leaned on the long-term: develop a deep, dynamic roster that could outlast the superstar-dependency era. But that’s a tough tale to sell to the fans, especially when fans watched Luka drop 40-point triple-doubles in purple and gold. The Mavericks’ plan is not just about game wins, it’s about winning over hearts again. And this time, it might not be as easy as winning the play-in games.

The win against Sacramento might’ve silenced the noise for a night, but the whispers still continue under the skin. This fanbase is not asking for perfection, but they are asking for proof – some sliver of proof that Nico Harris’s vision is sustainable. And that might just be achieved through consistency, which the team lacks for now. And unless that vision becomes clearer next season, when the roster is ‘healthy and battle-tested’ – the post-Luka Doncic experiment might stay stuck forever.

Because let’s face it… Winning does cure all—but only if you keep winning.