Cooper Flagg stepped onto the court for his professional debut Thursday night, leading the Dallas Mavericks to an 87-85 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring Bronny James.
Despite a challenging shooting night—10 points on 5-for-21 shooting and 0-for-5 from beyond the arc—Flagg contributed significantly with six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block. His performance showcased glimpses of the talent that earned him the No. 1 overall pick last month, particularly highlighted by a crucial block in the closing moments of the game.
With just 1:10 remaining, Flagg denied DJ Steward's shot attempt, setting the stage for Ryan Nembhard's three-pointer that propelled Dallas into the lead.
Arriving at UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m., Flagg donned Mavericks gear and bright white New Balance shoes, maintaining a stoic demeanor as he passed through security. This expression remained unchanged during warmups shortly after 5 p.m., even as the crowd buzzed with anticipation.
The arena erupted when Flagg was announced as a starter, his fans generating an electric atmosphere. However, his initial attempts fell short; he missed his first two shots and committed a foul just 46 seconds into the game. The crowd's excitement peaked when he faced off against James, who scored over him to give the Lakers an early lead.
Flagg ignited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter with his first points, but it was his near-slam dunk attempt early in the second quarter that nearly sent fans into a frenzy. His spin move into the paint against 7-foot Christian Koloko drew gasps as the ball ricocheted off the rim.
The arena, typically dominated by Lakers supporters during summer games, was filled with Mavericks fans eager to witness Flagg's debut. Among them was 15-year-old Baer Epple, who wore a Dirk Nowitzki jersey and expressed his long-standing admiration for Flagg since his high school days in Maine.
Epple, visiting Las Vegas for an AAU tournament from Seattle, shared his excitement about Flagg joining the Mavericks. "Even more of a fan now that they got Cooper Flagg," he remarked. "Hopefully he does good; that'd be pretty cool to see. I don't want him to be like a bust or anything."
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd emphasized the importance of effort and grit in this opening game. "This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout," he noted. Kidd acknowledged that mistakes would happen but stressed the need for players to respond positively.
Regarding Flagg, Kidd expressed enthusiasm: "We're all excited. Seen enough of him on tape, so now it's good to see him on the floor."
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