Cooper Flagg Shines in NBA Summer League Debut
LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg kicked off his professional career on a high note, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a narrow 87-85 victory over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers during the NBA Summer League on Thursday night.
Flagg racked up 10 points, though he had a challenging shooting night with only 5-for-21 from the field and 0-for-5 from three-point range. However, his performance included six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one crucial block. Despite some struggles, Flagg showed glimpses of the talent that made him the top pick in last month’s draft, especially with a key block in the closing moments of the game.
With just over a minute left, Flagg swatted away DJ Steward’s shot, setting the stage for Ryan Nembhard’s three-pointer that secured the Mavericks’ lead.
“I couldn’t really find my rhythm, it’s a different environment for sure,” Flagg said after the game. “I know it will be different when I play in the actual NBA, but I’m grateful for the confidence the coaches have in me. They encouraged me to experiment a bit, and I tried to be more aggressive, which is also new for me.”
He added, “Honestly, I’d say this was one of my worst games, but what matters most is that we got the win.”
Flagg arrived at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center wearing Mavericks gear and white New Balance shoes, showing a composed demeanor as he entered the arena. His calm exterior softened as he warmed up, and he reflected on how excited he was to begin this new chapter in his basketball journey.
“I was a bit nervous, it’s a new place with lots of new faces,” he said. “But this is a dream come true, and I am happy to be here enjoying every moment.”
His fans showed tremendous support, filling the stands and erupting when he was introduced as a starter for his first Summer League game. Although Flagg missed his early shots and fouled just a minute in, he didn’t disappoint the crowd. He and James went head-to-head, with James hitting an impressive three-pointer early on.
Flagg excited the audience with his first points midway through the first quarter, and just seconds later, he nearly pulled off an impressive dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. Though he didn’t make it, the attempt was met with cheers and gasps from the crowd.
The arena, usually packed with Lakers supporters, experienced a strong showing from Mavericks fans eager to see Flagg, who was named the 2025 National college player of the year. Among them was 15-year-old Baer Epple, who proudly wore a Dirk Nowitzki jersey.
“I’ve been following Flagg since his high school days at Nokomis in Maine,” Epple said. “Now that he’s with the Mavericks, I’m an even bigger fan. I hope he succeeds!”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd shared his enthusiasm for the talented rookie before the game, emphasizing the need for effort and determination. “With a turnout like this, the summer league feels different. I just want to see the guys play hard and respond to mistakes,” Kidd said. “We’re excited to have Cooper on our team. Seeing him on the floor confirms what we saw on tape.”
As the summer league continues, all eyes will be on Flagg to see how he adjusts to this new chapter in his career.
