The Dallas Mavericks refused to allow ESPN reporters to cover this weekend's games in Dallas after Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said he was unhappy the network would not have a reporter cover the team full time.

On Friday and Sunday, ESPN reporters Tim MacMahon and Marc Stein were told they would not be admitted to games against Portland and Milwaukee.

MacMahon is a Dallas-based reporter who has primarily covered the Mavericks for ESPN. He is also assigned to several other teams and stories as news warrants. Stein is a national NBA reporter, also based in Dallas.

"We're committed to thoroughly covering the Mavs and the NBA," ESPN said in a statement Sunday.

Said NBA spokesman Mike Bass: "We are in communication with both ESPN and Mark Cuban about this matter."

The Mavericks had no comment when contacted by ESPN.