Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Shines Despite Summer League Struggles/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg made his NBA Summer League debut, helping secure an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Lakers despite a rough shooting night. Flagg showed flashes of his No. 1 overall pick potential with crucial defensive plays. Fans and coaches remain enthusiastic about his future.
Cooper Flagg’s much-anticipated professional debut arrived under the dazzling lights of Las Vegas on Thursday, as the Dallas Mavericks’ top draft pick took the court in the NBA Summer League, where basketball dreams begin—and sometimes end. And though Flagg’s first outing was anything but perfect, the flashes of brilliance that made him the No. 1 overall selection in June were unmistakable.
Flagg, still adjusting to the professional game’s blistering speed and physicality, finished with 10 points on just 5-of-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc. Yet the box score told only part of the story. He added six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one pivotal block that helped seal an 87-85 victory for the Mavericks over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Despite his modest scoring numbers, Flagg delivered a crucial defensive highlight with 1:10 left on the clock. As DJ Steward drove toward the basket, Flagg rose up and emphatically blocked his shot. Seconds later, Ryan Nembhard drained a three-pointer, giving Dallas the two-point edge they would maintain until the final buzzer.
From the moment Flagg entered UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m., dressed in Mavericks gear and bright white New Balance sneakers, he exuded a quiet intensity. Even during warmups, his stoic expression barely changed as he adjusted to the magnitude of the stage.
Fans packed the arena, eager to witness the first professional clash between Flagg and Bronny James. The crowd buzzed each time Flagg touched the ball, roaring when he was announced as a starter. The game’s opening minutes, however, were rocky for the rookie. Flagg missed his first two shots and picked up a foul just 46 seconds in. Moments later, Bronny James buried a jumper over Flagg and followed it with a three-pointer, putting the Lakers ahead 5-0.
Flagg’s first points came with 4:30 left in the first quarter, when he powered home a two-handed slam, igniting the Mavericks fans who shared the arena with the typically dominant Lakers crowd. Early in the second quarter, he nearly brought the building down with an audacious spin move into the paint and a soaring attempt at a one-handed dunk over 7-foot Lakers center Christian Koloko. The ball ricocheted off the back iron, but the crowd erupted in gasps and applause.
Fans of all ages came to see Flagg, including 15-year-old Baer Epple, who traveled from Seattle to Las Vegas for an AAU tournament. Decked out in a Dirk Nowitzki Mavericks jersey and seated in the third row, Epple was thrilled to watch the player he’s been following since Flagg’s days at Nokomis Regional High School in Maine.
Though Flagg himself was critical of his performance, calling it “one of the worst games of my life,” his impact on the floor extended far beyond shooting stats. His defensive hustle, court vision, and willingness to experiment under pressure offered glimpses of the high ceiling that made him the top pick.
For Cooper Flagg, the journey from high school phenom to NBA star has officially begun. And while his professional debut was marked by nerves and growing pains, there’s little doubt that Dallas—and the NBA at large—will be watching closely as he finds his rhythm.
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