LAS VEGAS — As NBA Summer League games go, this one had considerably more intrigue.
The Lakers got their first on-court look at Cooper Flagg as the celebrated Dallas Mavericks rookie made his professional debut Thursday night and helped his team to an 87-85 victory over Bronny James and the Lakers at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.
Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including an 0-for-5 showing from 3-point range in 32 minutes. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one blocked shot. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why the former Duke star was chosen No. 1 overall in the draft last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.
Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s shot with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas an 87-85 lead.
Cole Swider had 22 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 6 for 9 from 3-point range to pace the Lakers, who went 2-1 in the California Classic in San Francisco before heading to Las Vegas. Dalton Knecht added 15 points on 6-for-16 shooting (3 for 7 from behind the arc), while Steward finished with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 6-of-14 shooting.
Darius Bazley added eight points, 11 rebounds and three assists for the Lakers, while James added eight points, two rebounds and two assists in 21 minutes. James shot 2 for 8 overall (1 for 6 from 3-point range) and missed a long 3-point attempt in the final seconds.
Flagg strolled into the arena at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes, and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security.
Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m.
His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter in his first summer league game.
Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game, picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game, and gave the crowd what they’d been anticipating, going one-on-one with fellow fan favorite James.
James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Flagg missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.
Flagg excited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, dunking home his first points.
Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly sent every fan in the building into a frenzy when he made a spin move into the paint and attempted a one-handed slam dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. The ball caromed off the back of the rim but the moment still drew plenty of oohs and aahs.
Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National College Player of the Year.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said before the game he’s looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team’s opening game, as he wants them all playing hard.
“This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd said. “But the guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one’s gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish.”
As for his prize draft pick: “We’re all excited,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”