{"id":55959,"date":"2025-07-11T04:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-11T04:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/55959\/"},"modified":"2025-07-11T04:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-11T04:51:09","slug":"mavs-rookie-the-center-of-attention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/55959\/","title":{"rendered":"Mavs rookie the center of attention"},"content":{"rendered":"

LAS VEGAS \u2014 The Cooper Flagg era unofficially began<\/a> Thursday night when the Dallas Mavericks<\/a> opened the Las Vegas Summer League with an 87-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

Here are five observations from Flagg\u2019s debut in Thursday\u2019s win over the Lakers:<\/p>\n

Center of attention: Flagg vs. James<\/p>\n

Thomas & Mack Center drew a nearly full arena that was full of people waiting to see Flagg match up with Lakers sophomore guard Bronny James.<\/p>\n

Mavericks<\/p>\n

Be the smartest Mavericks fan. Get the latest news.<\/p>\n

It was apparent from the moment the jump ball went in favor of the Mavericks that the anticipation was already pent up<\/a> among both teams. Flagg received the ball and the Lakers sent two defenders to double-team him immediately, almost as if they knew the Mavericks\u2019 first play of the game.<\/p>\n

Flagg drew attention early, but James had a quick start that resulted in the first five points for the Lakers. James drilled a smooth step-back from the midrange over Flagg to open scoring for both teams. He followed that up with a triple as Flagg went under a screen. James finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists on 2-of-8 shooting from the field.<\/p>\n

The two headliners guarded each other several times throughout the game. Flagg posted James up on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter, sparking oohs and aahs from the crowd. James managed to cleanly poke the ball away from Flagg on the second post-up attempt, but a foul was called and the fans inside the arena antagonized by the moment jeered. Flagg was successful on the third, as he drilled a midrange shot over LeBron James\u2019 eldest son.<\/p>\n

James had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, but missed a hesitation 3-pointer as the final buzzer expired.<\/p>\n

Flagg finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action. <\/p>\n

Flagg\u2019s second wind<\/p>\n

Flagg went to the bench after the first timeout of the game to catch a quick breather after missing his first two shots. His brightest moment of the game occurred a minute later as he made several high-impact plays upon checking back into the game.<\/p>\n

The Mavericks rookie came up with a steal and took the ball the length of the court while outrunning two Lakers defenders before throwing down a one-handed dunk<\/a>. He followed that up with a midrange shot he knocked down as he fell to the floor.<\/p>\n

Flagg managed to show why he was the consensus top pick by showing his versatile skill set. He defended well and managed to get over screens. He served as a viable playmaker. He rebounded. However, he didn\u2019t shoot the ball well, finishing just 5-of-21 from the field. <\/p>\n

It\u2019s natural that Flagg could be rusty, considering it was his first official game since Duke was eliminated from the Final Four in March. That wasn\u2019t an excuse for Flagg, who reflected on his performance after the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cI tried to be aggressive,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cThat\u2019s new for me. Honestly, that might be one of the worst games of my life, but we got the win so that\u2019s what really matters to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Point Flagg<\/p>\n

After weeks of anticipation of what Flagg would look like in a point guard role, the basketball world received a glimpse of Mavericks coach Jason Kidd\u2019s vision.<\/p>\n

Flagg brought the ball up the court several times and managed to be successful with his handle, even when Lakers defenders tried to be physical. He was often picked up full court, but used his body to shield himself from defenders looking to steal the ball. <\/p>\n

Late in the fourth quarter, Flagg drove into the paint, spun as if he was going to rise for a midrange shot and swung the ball to Maxwell Lewis in the corner for a clean 3-pointer. It was only his third assist, but an example of his high IQ on display.<\/p>\n

Flagg is just 18 years old, but he showed poise initiating the offense and made smart passes, especially in transition. He had only one turnover, an impressive feat considering how much he had the ball in his hands. In fact, the Mavericks only turned the ball over nine times \u2014 an acceptable number after practicing only twice this week leading up to the opener.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was looking forward to it,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cObviously being able to split some reps with Ryan [Nembhard] and share that with him. It was fun. It\u2019s new for me bringing it up, having that full court pressure. I\u2019m not in full game shape so I was tired … It was fun to experiment with some new things.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s unclear how much point guard we\u2019ll see Flagg run during the regular season, but he\u2019ll be an option to use if Kidd wishes to.<\/p>\n

Mavericks\u2019 two-ways\"DallasDallas Mavericks guard Ryan Nembhard (9) and forward Cooper Flagg (32) look on during the second half of an NBA summer league basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Thursday, July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo\/David Becker)(David Becker \/ AP)<\/p>\n

Flagg wasn\u2019t the only player who made an impression in Thursday\u2019s game. Mavericks two-way guard Ryan Nembhard<\/a>, who\u2019s known as a playmaker, led the team in scoring with 21 points and five assists. Two-way guard Miles Kelly added 17 points, four rebounds and two assists.<\/p>\n

Both players started alongside Flagg, Jamarion Sharp and Maxwell Lewis.<\/p>\n

Nembhard gave the Mavericks a two-point lead with 59.1 seconds left after drilling a triple, assisted by Flagg. He knocked down several timely jumpers throughout the game and didn\u2019t allow his 6-foot frame to hinder him from getting to his spots.<\/p>\n

Blanket of support<\/p>\n

There were several notable faces sitting courtside to take in the Mavericks\u2019 summer league opener. Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont sat across from the Dallas bench. He was joined by a bevy of key members from the varsity group, including Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.<\/p>\n

That group of Mavericks rose to their feet early in the second quarter when Flagg drilled a fadeaway shot from the baseline over the outstretched hands of James. Flagg showed his fiery spirit and appeared to yell toward his new teammates, celebrating the successful moment of competition against James.<\/p>\n

\u201cI definitely heard them. It was cool seeing them there and showing up in support of us,\u201d Flagg said. \u201cI didn\u2019t really say anything. I just kind of looked at them. They were kind of saying stuff a couple of plays before. That was just a funny moment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Members of the front office and coaching staff were also present, including assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, along with head coach Jason Kidd and new lead assistant coach Frank Vogel, plus other support staff. Minority shareholder Mark Cuban was also in attendance. General manager Nico Harrison was noticeably absent, but there was more than enough support from the franchise for the team\u2019s first game in Las Vegas.<\/p>\n

\n

Highlights from Cooper Flagg’s summer league debut with the Mavericks \ud83c\udfa5\ud83d\udca5\ud83c\udfc0<\/p>\n

Final line for the Mavs rookie:<\/p>\n

10 points
6 rebounds
4 assists
3 steals
1 block
5-21 shooting<\/p>\n

(Via @NBA<\/a> | #MFFL<\/a>)pic.twitter.com\/GQNDSG5T5Y<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SportsDay Mavs (@dmn_mavericks) July 11, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

X\/Twitter:<\/b> @MikeACurtis2<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Fans<\/a>Watch: Cooper Flagg throws down big dunk for first bucket with Summer League Mavericks<\/a><\/p>\n

Flagg also nailed a turnaround jumper and posted up Bronny James in an eventful opening quarter vs. the Lakers.<\/p>\n

\"FILE<\/a>Suns sign Devin Booker to 2-year, $145 million max extension through 2029-30, per report<\/a><\/p>\n

The 28-year-old Booker has been one of the NBA\u2019s best shooting guards, earning four All-Star appearances in 10 NBA seasons.<\/p>\n

Find more Mavericks coverage from <\/b>The Dallas Morning News<\/b> here<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n