Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range, in his NBA summer league debut. Getty Images
Cooper Flagg didn’t have his best night, but when it mattered most—he delivered.
The NBA’s No. 1 draft pick made a clutch defensive stop in the final minutes of his Summer League debut Thursday night, helping the Dallas Mavericks edge the Los Angeles Lakers 87–85. Despite a rough shooting performance, Flagg showed flashes of what makes him a special player.
He finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and one massive block that turned the tide of the game.
A Play That Sealed the Win
With just over a minute left, the Lakers were on the attack. DJ Steward drove to the basket, but Flagg came flying in from the weak side to block the layup. He grabbed the ball, led the break, and found teammate Ryan Nembhard open for a go-ahead three-pointer.
That sequence—the block, the push, the perfect pass—defined the night.
“It’s what he does,” said Mavs summer league coach Josh Broghamer. “He makes winning plays on both ends.”
A Night of Firsts—and Frustration
While Flagg’s final stat line showed impact across the board, it also revealed his biggest challenge: shooting. He went just 5-of-21 from the field, including 0-of-5 from three-point range.
Most of his makes came in transition. In half-court situations, the Lakers kept things tight. They trapped Flagg on his first touch and defended him physically all night.
“I thought that was out of respect,” said Mavs head coach Jason Kidd at halftime. “He’s a great decision-maker. He’s going to make mistakes—but his poise at 18 is incredible.”
Learning to Be the Leader
Kidd and the Mavericks are using Summer League to stretch Flagg’s game. He’s being asked to act as a point-forward—handling the ball, running the offense, and making decisions.
That new responsibility didn’t come easy.
“I’d say it might be one of the worst games of my life,” Flagg admitted postgame. “But we got the win. That’s what matters.”
He acknowledged that launching so many shots felt unusual.
“The coaches are encouraging me to try new things, be aggressive. That’s new for me, too.”
Cooper Flagg— Sparks of Brilliance
Even on an off-shooting night, Flagg gave the crowd something to cheer about.
His first bucket? A thunderous tomahawk dunk in traffic, following a steal and fast break. Then a baseline fadeaway over a defender. Later, a smooth coast-to-coast drive and finish through contact.
The Thomas & Mack Center crowd lit up every time Flagg faced off with Bronny James, the Lakers’ second-year guard. Their one-on-one battles added intensity to the game. At one point, Flagg drained a tough midrange shot over James—moments after a controversial foul call sparked boos from the stands.
“He’s got half a foot on me,” James said afterward. “I’m just trying to hold my ground. But he’s great. I watched him at Duke—he’s special.”
Growth in Progress
Though frustrated with his half-court offense, Flagg isn’t dwelling on it.
“Shots weren’t falling. That’s going to happen,” he said. “I probably haven’t taken that many shots before, so it’s new. I’ll figure it out.”
He added, “I’m excited to keep playing and move forward.”
A Glimpse of the Future
Flagg’s debut wasn’t perfect, but that’s not what the Mavericks were looking for. They saw something more valuable—grit, leadership, and composure when the pressure was on.
The numbers may not have dazzled, but the impact was real.
And for a player just beginning his professional journey, that’s a promising sign of what’s to come.
