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A Seat for Everyone: Inside the Dallas Mavericks’ South Asian Night

  • 19 hours ago
  • 4 min read
Photos and Video by: Ezzah Rafique | Written by: Brylea Smith
March 30, 2026


The Dallas Mavericks hosted its first South Asian Night on March 30th, 2026 during their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, acting as a step forward for the organization as it aims to strengthen its bond with different groups of the North Texas community at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. More than just a themed game, the night was an effort to be more inclusive to the fanbase that supports the team.


South Asian Night evolved from previous Holi Night. The concept became broader and more intentional, shifting from a single-cultural celebration to an event highlighting both the distinct and unifying identities across the regions of Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and others. The goal was to create an inclusive event for the expanding South Asian community in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.




“I took it upon myself to make a difference,” Yannis Shafi, Business Development Manager for the Mavericks and co-lead of the organization's AAPI ERG explained. “I wanted to include all these different cultures and regions and areas of the world that we previously didn’t get involved in.”


This celebration took months of planning, making sure every aspect of the night was accounted for. When coming up with a promotional item to tie into the night, the team decided to choose a cricket jersey because of its impact on the South Asian region. The cricket jersey served as a cultural bridge, connecting two very different sports in a way that felt intentional. 



“When we sat in a room trying to figure out a unifying experience across all cultures of the region, we settled on cricket because of its impact all across the world,” Shafi said. “When we thought of the cricket jersey we thought it would be the best element to combine our passion for Maverick’s basketball with this national sport.”


Before tipoff, the commemoration started outside. The PNC Plaza, just outside the American Airlines Center, was bustling with energy. Food vendors lined the space, offering a range of South Asian flavors, while live performances cycled through music and dance that drew fans in before they ever scanned their ticket.



The food vendors chosen were those that consistently drew large crowds and high demand at local festivals during the month of Ramadan. Among the vendors, Mad Dogs provided bite-sized Halal gourmet hot dogs; Chacha Cup offered three hand-whisked matcha flavors for fans to choose from; Halal Fusionz served Pakistani–Tex-Mex fusion tacos; and Sauce Bros quickly ran out of their pizza samples.



“It feels amazing to represent my culture,” Aaisha Adeel Polani, founder of Chacha Cup said.


“I was born and raised in Pakistan, and being able to do this with the Mavericks means everything to me. I am very proud to have my signature matcha, the chai-matcha, be a part of this night and to be able to share my culture with everyone here.”



Inside the arena, that attention to detail carried through. From blue, orange, and green digital displays to the fan clappers spelling out “Make Some Noise,” the Mavericks fully leaned into the theme. This wasn’t a brief acknowledgment tucked into a timeout; it was woven into the entire game experience. Throughout the game, the speakers blasted Bollywood music when the game was paused. The Mavericks even provided a brief break from the game to show fans on the jumbotron during ‘Bollywood Dance Cam,’ allowing fans to get up off their feet and listen to some Bollywood Music while getting the chance to be shown on the big screen.





The energy during halftime was electric, centering around a captivating performance by the renowned dance group, Bhangra Empire. Hailing from San Francisco, this talented dance group took center court and delivered a fun routine that masterfully fused traditional Punjabi culture with contemporary influences. Their performance was a vibrant tapestry of movement, expertly blending dynamic Bhangra steps with popular Bollywood hits and modern pop songs.


Even after the final buzzer, the experience didn’t end. Those in attendance got the chance to shoot one free throw on the court. It was a special way to end the night of celebration, giving once-in-a-lifetime memories to the fans.



“I feel like growing up we don’t get that much representation, so it was really cool to see a big organization like the Mavericks put on something for us,” one fan said after taking a free throw shot. 



While this was only the first South Asian night, it served as a starting point for the future.


Shafi and the Mavericks organization are already looking forward to what comes next.


“Because this is only our first year putting on this night, we can only look to build up from here,” Shafi said. “We hope to be able to bring out more community leaders, more food vendors and do our best to make a positive impact in our South Asian community.”




In the end, South Asian Night wasn’t defined by any one activation or performance. It was the combination of intentional choices that made the night feel complete. From the early planning stages to the final fan walking off the court, the Mavericks crafted an experience that went beyond recognition and into representation, one that showed, in real time, what it looks like when a team truly plays for its entire community.


A look at the Mav's South Asian Night through our lens:


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