

Cooper Flagg’sunofficial NBA debut had all the buzz, but Bronny Jamesalmost rewrote the story.
With less than four seconds on the clock, James launched a clean look from beyond the arc that could’ve given the Lakers the lead-and Flagg a loss in his very first outing. Instead, the shot bounced off the rim, and the Mavericks walked away with a 92-90 win in a Summer League game that felt anything but meaningless.
Cooper Flag embarrass LeBron and Bronny James teammate and makes the crowd go crazy
James finished with eight points on eight shots, all of them coming in the first half. But while his scoring dried up after halftime, his defensive effort didn’t. He spent stretches guarding Flagg, one of the most hyped rookies in years, and made things difficult early on with tough contests and quick feet.
Bronny’s defense showed maturity-his offense is still catching up
“I felt I could’ve knocked more shots down, but I’m happy with how I played defensively,”James said postgame.“That’s my focus this year.”
Flagg, meanwhile, showed why he’s been labeled a generational talent. He posted 17 points and 6 rebounds in a balanced performance that saw him flash both power and patience. He didn’t dominate, but he didn’t fold either, and the spotlight didn’t seem too big.
Despite the miss, Lakers Summer League coach Lindsay Harding wasn’t second-guessing anything. “I want him to have the ball in that moment,” she said. “It was a good shot. I’ll take that decision every time.”
The moment wasn’t just about one player’s miss or another’s debut. It was about two young guys-one carrying a famous name, the other a franchise’s hopes-going head-to-head in a pressure-packed finish. And if this is any preview of what’s to come, it won’t be the last time we see them battling in the clutch.
As The Athletic noted, Summer League is often more revealing than people give it credit for. In this one, both Bronny and Flagg showed glimpses of what they’re becoming. And that’s why fans-and teams-are paying attention.
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