Earlier this week, Cooper Flagg made his highly anticipated debut in the Las Vegas Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks. The 18-year-old, who recently entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2025 Draft, faced immediate scrutiny. His impressive performances in high school and during his lone season at Duke had propelled him into the professional spotlight.
However, in his matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Flagg failed to show rhythm, form, strength, or power. To be frank, he looked far from ready. His opponent, second-year prospect Bronny James, also failed to impress.
Fans paid $201 to watch these two emerging stars take the court, but many left feeling it was money wasted. Neither player made a meaningful impact for their teams, and both turned in disappointing performances in Las Vegas.
Bronny James finished with eight points, two assists, and just two made field goals. Flagg, on the other hand, ended with 10 points, shooting a dismal 5-for-21 from the field, while adding four assists and three steals.
In the Summer League, fans are often reminded not to overreact to either the highs or lows seen in these early games. But for a newcomer like Flagg, who may not yet fully grasp this context, the learning curve appears steep.
I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life,” he said. “But, you know, we got the win, so that’s what really matters to me. You know, my teammates, Miles, Ryan, Jordan, you know, they held it down. They did what they had to do. So I’m just glad we got the win.
A chance at redemption
After a rough start with the Mavericks in Las Vegas, today, Saturday, July 12, Flagg will have an opportunity to move past his difficult debut. Dallas will be facing the San Antonio Spurs.
Spurs rookie Dylan Harper, the second overall pick in the draft, has yet to make his Summer League debut. However, there’s a chance he could take the floor today, potentially setting up a marquee showdown between the two most talked-about prospects of the 2025 class.
Meanwhile, Spurs rookie Carter Bryant has stood out on the defensive end and will likely be a major obstacle for Flagg throughout the game. This matchup could provide a more accurate indication of Flagg’s readiness for the NBA and what kind of impact he might eventually have at the next level.
These Summer League games are crucial for Flagg as he begins to understand the demands of professional basketball. It’s vital that he elevates his game quickly, silences early doubts, and starts showing flashes of the player that made him the number one pick.
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