Sports
Cooper Flagg arrived at the Thomas and Mack Center for his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday with all eyes trained on him.
Decked out in Dallas Mavericks gear and bright white New Balance sneakers, the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft wore a determined, emotionless expression as he strode through security, an early sign he was all business for the most anticipated rookie debut in recent memory.
If Flagg felt any pressure, it didn’t show on his face, but the electric atmosphere in the arena left no doubt: this was an event.
The sold-out crowd buzzed with excitement as Flagg was introduced as a starter, their cheers rising above even those for Bronny James, who was suiting up for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Tickets for this matchup were the priciest in NBA Summer League history, with fans desperate to see the duel between the game’s most hyped rookie and the son of basketball royalty.
The game itself was a dramatic, back-and-forth affair, filled with highlight moments and nail-biting swings. Flagg got off to a rocky start, missing his first two shots and picking up an early foul.
Bronny James wasted no time making an impression, scoring his first basket over Flagg and then drilling a three to give the Lakers an early edge.
But Flagg soon gave Mavericks fans what they came for, slamming home his first points with a driving dunk at the 4:30 mark in the opening quarter.
A Night of Highs and Lows for Cooper Flagg
Throughout the contest, Flagg showed flashes of the all-around impact that made him the No. 1 pick.
Though he struggled with his shot, finishing just 5-for-21 from the field and missing all five of his three-point attempts, he contributed across the board with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.
In a key moment late in the game, Flagg blocked a layup attempt from DJ Steward, then sparked a fast break that ended with Ryan Nembhard‘s clutch three-pointer to put Dallas ahead for good, 87-85.
Flagg‘s defensive energy and playmaking stood out, particularly for a player essentially running point and facing pressure all night.
Perhaps most impressive: he finished with just one turnover, a rarity for a rookie operating as a team’s primary creator under the bright lights.
On the Mavericks’ side, Ryan Nembhard stole some of the spotlight, scoring 21 points with five assists on efficient shooting. Miles Kelly added 17 points, showing Dallas may have depth to build around their new star.
For the Lakers, Bronny James finished with eight points after a hot start, while Cole Swider led all scorers with 22 points and 10 rebounds, hitting six three-pointers.
Jason Kidd Praises Effort, Preaches Patience
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd set a realistic tone before tipoff. “This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd told reporters.
“The guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to mistakes. No one’s going to play a perfect game and be unselfish.”
Of Flagg, Kidd said, “We’re all excited. Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”
Flagg’s first professional outing may not have been flawless, but the things that don’t always show up in the box score, deflections, hustle, and clutch decision-making, hint at why he was this year’s top selection.
With the nerves of his debut now behind him, expect Flagg‘s confidence to only grow as the Summer League continues.
This news was originally published on this post .
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