Dallas fans rushed to the defense of D’Angelo Russell and called out Jason Kidd in the aftermath of the Mavericks’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. Russell joined the Mavericks this season and was expected by many to temporarily replace Kyrie Irving as the team’s primary facilitator.
Although Russell and the rest of the stars on the Mavericks’ lineup have done their best, the team currently holds one of the worst records in the Western Conference at 5-15. After Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd decided to keep Russell sidelined throughout the game, fans took to social media to share their frustration.
Mavericks Fans React to D’Angelo Russell’s DNP-CD vs Lakers
While Russell has not yet established himself as one of the league’s top point guards, he is a talented scorer and facilitator, which is why the Mavericks acquired him.
Unfortunately, Russell has not been playing up to Kidd’s expectations and did not step on the court during the NBA cup game against the Lakers. Given that this decision did not result in a Mavericks victory, fans voiced their frustration and sympathized with Russell.
“D’Angelo Russell is the most accomplished player on the Mavericks besides Anthony Davis and Jason Kidd treating him like he’s nothing,” one fan said. “DLO deserves better. He’s not playing up to standards, but this is disgraceful to start a 2 way player over him.”
D’Angelo Russell is the most accomplished player on the Mavericks besides Anthony Davis and Jason Kidd treating him like he’s nothing.
DLO deserves better. He’s not playing up to standards, but this is disgraceful to start a 2 way player over him.
— Loading … (@IceInMyVeinsSzn) November 29, 2025
The two-way player being mentioned is Ryan Nembhard. Although he scored 17 points in 23 minutes of action, Nembhard was unable to help the Mavericks hold off the Lakers. One fan said:
“D’Angelo Russell just got his first career DNP. 11 seasons in the league. All it took was him being blackballed by Jason Kidd for being signed by Nico Harrison. DLO is having a slow start to the season but he is NO WHERE NEAR DNP worthy & bench worthy on THIS horrible team.”
D’Angelo Russell just got his first career DNP. 11 seasons in the league. All it took was him being blackballed by Jason Kidd for being signed by Nico Harrison.
DLO is having a slow start to the season but he is NO WHERE NEAR DNP worthy & bench worthy on THIS horrible team.
— Loading … (@IceInMyVeinsSzn) November 29, 2025
“Lakers really took this dude joy away. He plays with no confidence and joy anymore due to JJ and Kidd lmfao. Saddest scapegoat story ever,” one fan replied.
Lakers really took this dude joy away. He plays with no confidence and joy anymore due to JJ and Kidd lmfao. Saddest scapegoat story ever
— Maxwell Edison (@WhomstdV1) November 29, 2025
Some fans attempted to view the situation rationally, trying to understand Russell’s frustration with the team. One said:
“D’Angelo Russell is growing frustrated with his inconsistent role with the Mavericks. Don’t blame him. One game, he goes from 31, next game he’s getting yanked for missing two shots. Next game he goes for 11 assists, next game he’s barely playing 15 minutes.”
D’Angelo Russell is growing frustrated with his inconsistent role with the Mavericks.
Don’t blame him. One game, he goes from 31 – next game he’s getting yanked for missing two shots. Next game he goes for 11 assists, next game he’s barely playing 15 minutes pic.twitter.com/VbwtXmeeXV
— DOM (@OfficialDomNBA) November 29, 2025
One fan claimed that Kidd should be held accountable, criticizing the Mavericks’ head coach, “D’Angelo Russell has had some bad games and some good games this year so far. Nothing he has done has warranted a DNP. But Jason Kidd is gonna Jason Kidd. Very evident from the start that Kidd does not f**k with DLo.”
Another echoed that sentiment, saying, “he’s getting blackballed because he is a Nico signing. It’s obvious. Kidd didnt like Nico.”
he’s getting blackballed because he is a Nico signing. It’s obvious. Kidd didnt like Nico.
— Loading … (@IceInMyVeinsSzn) November 29, 2025
Russell has averaged 11.9 points, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 rebounds in a career‑low 21.4 minutes per game this season, while shooting 39.2% from the field and 25.0% from 3‑point range.
