Cooper Flagg has been tipped for NBA stardom since his high school days. He’s a few months away from getting a chance to prove those early premonitions correct, but he’ll take the floor under Mavericks colors for the first time on Thursday when Dallas kicks off its slate in Las Vegas Summer League.
The 18-year-old forward is one of the sport’s most captivating young talents, capable of wreaking havoc on both ends of the floor. Flagg was wondrous in his sole season at Duke, garnering National Player of the Year consideration while landing ACC Player of the Year and ACC Rookie of the Year honors.
All that amounted to Flagg being selected No. 1 overall in the 2025 NBA Draft. It’s unclear what Flagg looks like at his best, but the Mavericks will be hoping he’s pretty close to it in 2025-26 — a playoff berth could materialize if Flagg has the two-way impact he’s been projected to.
Flagg’s first match with Dallas figures to be a spectacle. Not only is he set to dance atop the hardwood in Sin City, the debauchery capital of the world, but he’s also sharing the floor with another headlining act — Lakers guard Bronny James.
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The Sporting News is tracking Flagg’s first taste of NBA action on Thursday. Follow below for more analysis and highlights as Dallas takes on James and Los Angeles during Las Vegas Summer League.
Cooper Flagg stats vs. Lakers
Final score: Mavericks 87, Lakers 85
- Points: 10
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 4
- Steals: 3
- Blocks: 1
- TOs: 1
- PF: 2
- FG: 5-21
- 3P: 0-5
- FT: 0-1
MORE: Why ticket prices for Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James are making Summer League history
Cooper Flagg highlights vs. Lakers
Flagg emptied the clip in his Summer League debut, producing shot attempts in bunches. Many of those attempts missed their mark, but he still showed hints of that enchanting potential, leaping to the rafters to throw down a wondrous one-handed tomahawk on the fast break for his first points.
MORE: New Balance set to revitalize basketball line behind Cooper Flagg
COOP THERE IT IS 💪 pic.twitter.com/4mudwk8aPl
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 11, 2025
Flagg also sank an off-balance, fall-away jumper over James to bring about cheers from the Sin City faithful.
Cooper Flagg & Bronny James at the half
Cooper: 10 PTS (5/15 FG, 0/4 3PT, 0/1 FT), 3 REB, 2 STL
Bronny: 8 PTS (2/4 FG, 1/3 3PT, 3/4 FT), 1 REB, 1 AST
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) July 11, 2025
That mid-range served Flagg well throughout the night. Here he is dropping another one over a weary Los Angeles defender.
Kyrie loving what he’s seeing from Cooper Flagg 👏 pic.twitter.com/NSlAVANrQ4
— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2025
LIVE: Cooper Flagg takes on Bronny James in Las Vegas Summer League joust
Flagg even added a lay-in through contact for good measure.
COOPER FLAGG AND-1 😤
The No. 1 overall pick with a 6-point flurry in his first game with the Mavs! #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.twitter.com/38agF8iJGx
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2025
For all of his flashes, Flagg’s offensive showing was uneven, to say the least. His shot clanked far more than it found its target, but even as his offensive production waned, Flagg’s defense continued to shine through. He collected four stocks, including a timely swat as the clock dwindled that set up Ryan Nembhard’s game-winning triple.
COOPER FLAGG REJECTION ❌
RYAN NEMBHARD 3 🎯Dallas goes up 2 with less than a minute to play on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/aIQl7TdCgl
— NBA (@NBA) July 11, 2025
Oh, and there was his attempted baptism of Christian Koloko.
Cooper Flagg just tried to kill someone pic.twitter.com/z1zDgpTAOe
— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) July 11, 2025
All told, Flagg showed plenty to suggest he is the truth. The shot wasn’t falling, but Flagg’s potential revolves around his ability to affect multiple aspects of the game. He did so with aplomb on Thursday night.
