The Dallas Mavericks rookie and No. 1 draft pick, Cooper Flagg, made a memorable debut in the Las Vegas Summer League on Thursday. He contributed significantly to the Mavericks' narrow victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, finishing the game with 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists in 32 minutes of play. The final score was 87-85, with Flagg also showcasing his defensive skills by adding three steals and a block to his stat line.
Despite his overall contributions, Flagg struggled in the second half, finishing the game with a shooting performance of 5-for-21 from the floor. Reflecting on his performance postgame, Flagg told ESPN, “Not up to my standard, but I’m going to regroup; I’m going to be all right. This is a new feeling, new environment, new teammates, but the guys settled down.” This sentiment underscores the challenges that come with transitioning to the professional level.
In a nail-biting finish, the Lakers' second-year guard, Bronny James, had the opportunity to give his team the lead with a three-pointer in the closing seconds but missed the shot. Meanwhile, Cole Swider led all scorers with an impressive 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lakers. On the Mavericks' side, Ryan Nembhard led the scoring with 21 points, while Miles Kelly contributed 17 points, solidifying their positions as key players in the game.
Fans at the Thomas & Mack Center were particularly excited during Flagg's moments on the court, especially during his early defensive matchups against James, who managed to score the first five points for the Lakers and finished with eight points overall. The buzz surrounding Flagg's debut highlights his potential to become a fan favorite moving forward.
During halftime, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd spoke highly of Flagg's performance, noting his poise and skills during his unofficial professional debut. “I think when you have someone like Cooper who can handle, who can shoot, who can pass, you want the ball in his hands,” Kidd stated. He praised Flagg's decision-making abilities, which he demonstrated during his time at Duke and in high school. Kidd acknowledged that while mistakes are part of the game, Flagg's composure as an 18-year-old is remarkable.
The Lakers also saw strong performances from players like Dalton Knecht and DJ Steward, who scored 15 and 14 points, respectively. Additionally, Darius Bazley made his mark by grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds, showcasing the competitive nature of the game.
Right from the start, the Lakers' defense showed respect for Flagg, double-teaming him as soon as he received a pass in the backcourt following the opening tip-off. Addressing this strategy at halftime, Kidd remarked, “I think that’s out of respect.” Although Flagg missed his first two field goal attempts, he quickly found his rhythm after a brief rest in the first quarter, scoring six consecutive points for the Mavericks between the 4:35 and 2:49 marks. His first points came from a running, one-handed dunk following a steal, demonstrating his athleticism and ability to capitalize on defensive plays.
By halftime, Flagg had managed to shoot 5-for-15, along with three rebounds and one assist. Kidd emphasized Flagg's ability to handle the ball, create open shots for his teammates, and finish plays, stating, “I think you’ve seen a lot of what he can do in this league.” With such a promising start, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Flagg will develop throughout the remainder of the season.
