Cooper Flagg`s highly anticipated debut for the Dallas Mavericks took place on Thursday during the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas. His first professional game was against the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring Bronny James.
This particular matchup generated significant buzz, evidenced by the highest average ticket price for a summer league game since Victor Wembanyama`s debut for the San Antonio Spurs. Flagg made his initial professional points with a memorable dunk. The top pick in the 2025 draft concluded the game with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists as Dallas secured an 87-85 win over Los Angeles. James finished with 8 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.
What insights can be gathered from Flagg`s initial appearance as a Maverick? NBA experts provide their perspectives on the key takeaways, highlighting his standout moment and the aspect of his game that had the most significant influence.
Flagg Shows Potential to Immediately Impact the Mavericks
Flagg`s capabilities have never been in question. At just 18 years old, the 6-foot-8, 220-pound player possesses an ideal NBA build and explosive athleticism that frequently elicits gasps from the audience.
Combining these physical gifts with Flagg`s adept full-speed ball-handling and innate understanding of the game, it`s clear why Mavericks coach Jason Kidd noted a resemblance to a young Grant Hill when reviewing the film of the No. 1 pick.
Flagg is expected to be an immediate asset as a transition offense threat. This skill was prominently displayed in his first official game in a Dallas uniform, although he faced challenges finding his rhythm in the half-court offense against the Lakers.
Flagg`s initial score was a powerful tomahawk dunk, completing a solo fast break he initiated with a steal. He maintained the fast pace on the subsequent possession before executing a smooth baseline fadeaway over Dalton Knecht, the Lakers` 2024 first-round pick. Flagg then delivered an incredible pass on the Mavs` next offensive sequence – a sharp, long-range feed from beyond half court while still pushing the ball up the floor. While it didn`t register as an assist because Dallas center Moussa Cisse couldn`t convert, it`s easy to envision Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford turning that pass into a forceful dunk.
Flagg`s blend of skill and intuition also led to the game`s most crucial play sequence. He soared for a block on a layup attempt, quickly advanced the ball upcourt, and found guard Ryan Nembhard open for a three-pointer that gave the Mavs the lead for good with 59.1 seconds remaining.
It was a challenging shooting night for Flagg, finishing 5-of-21 from the field and missing all 5 of his three-point attempts. However, his ability to run the break was impressive and suggests he is ready for that role in the league immediately. — Tim MacMahon
Flagg`s Dunk Electrifies Summer League Crowd
The crowd at the Thomas & Mack Center was buzzing with anticipation for Thursday`s Mavericks-Lakers tip-off, even resorting to booing the referees at the conclusion of the preceding Brooklyn Nets and Oklahoma City Thunder game. Their frustration wasn`t necessarily about disagreeing with a call, but simply wanting the previous game to end so Flagg could finally take the court.
Once the game began, the fans` eagerness to witness Flagg`s official introduction to the league was further prolonged.
Flagg`s first recorded statistic in the summer league was a missed fadeaway from 12 feet, just 18 seconds into the first quarter. Less than half a minute later, he was back in the box score, this time for committing a foul on Lakers forward Darius Bazley during a rebound attempt.
Roughly 30 seconds later, Flagg took his second shot, a three-pointer, and missed again.
He remained scoreless when he was substituted for the first time with 5:38 left in the first quarter. After a brief rest, he checked back into the game. And then it happened. Lakers guard DJ Steward`s pass was intercepted by Flagg, who swiped it out of the passing lane and powered down the court to complete a coast-to-coast fast break with a tomahawk dunk.
The fans got exactly what they came for, erupting in a loud roar that echoed through the arena.
Flagg finished the game shooting 5-for-21, accumulating 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.
On paper, it might seem like a forgettable stat line. But he delivered a significant moment. You never forget your first. — Dave McMenamin
Flagg`s Contribution Beyond the Stat Sheet
Despite missing 16 out of 21 shots and not scoring in the second half of his summer league debut, there is no cause for concern regarding one poor shooting night. Flagg`s potential is largely based on his ability to contribute across multiple statistical categories beyond just scoring.
At Duke, Flagg averaged 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.4 blocks. To put this in context, in the previous NBA season, only versatile forwards Scottie Barnes and Jalen Johnson averaged similar numbers (at least 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block). NBA players with the most such seasons in history include Kevin Garnett (10 times), Giannis Antetokounmpo (8), and Chris Webber (7).
In Thursday`s 32 minutes, Flagg essentially matched his college averages with 6 rebounds, 4 assists (a number that would have been higher if teammates had converted more three-pointers from his passes), 3 steals, and 1 block. He also managed only one turnover despite facing intense defensive pressure from Lakers players.
This all-around production is a significant part of Flagg`s appeal and a reason for optimism as he joins a potential contender in his rookie season. Playing alongside players like Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, D`Angelo Russell, and eventually Kyrie Irving, Flagg won`t need to lead the team in shots, as he did in his debut. However, his greatest effectiveness will come from contributing in every other aspect of the game, particularly defensively, where his playmaking ability already suggests he can be a transformative player. — Zach Kram
Flagg`s Size Poses a Challenge for NBA Opponents
Against NBA competition, Flagg`s physical size was immediately apparent. Listed at 6-9, Flagg is expected to start his professional career at small forward for the notably large Mavericks lineup, which features a frontcourt of the 6-10 Davis and 7-1 Lively.
To begin the game, Flagg was defended by former first-round pick Bazley, nominally the Lakers` starting center at 6-8. This type of defensive mismatch won`t be feasible when Flagg plays alongside Davis and either Lively or the 6-10 Gafford, players who can effectively exploit smaller defenders in ways that nobody else on Dallas` summer roster could.
When matched against shorter opponents, Flagg`s size should provide several advantages. In pick-and-roll situations, Flagg will have clear passing lanes over defenders. This is something Kidd encouraged a young Giannis Antetokounmpo to utilize while coaching him with the Milwaukee Bucks, indicating a similar strategic approach with Flagg.
Defensively, Flagg`s size enables him to make highlight plays, as quantified earlier. A wingspan of nearly 7 feet, comparable to that of lottery center pick Derik Queen (7-foot-½), means Flagg will be a constant disruptive force in passing lanes.
Ideally, the Mavericks will eventually find a dedicated wing defender, allowing them to deploy Flagg on weaker shooters as an active help defender. For the time being, Dallas may need Flagg to guard the opponent`s primary perimeter scoring threat when P.J. Washington is not on the court. — Kevin Pelton
