Cooper Flagg turns heads in Mavericks Summer League debut against Lakers

Cooper Flagg made an impressive NBA Summer League debut for the Dallas Mavericks in a closely watched matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas. The highly anticipated rookie, who starred at Duke University, showed glimpses of his all-around potential despite some early jitters.

Flagg, known for his versatility, played nearly 32 minutes and ended the night with 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and a block. While his shooting numbers (5-of-21 from the field) left room for improvement, his impact went beyond the stat sheet, drawing praise for his defensive intensity, ball movement, and energy on both ends of the court.

The showdown with Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, drew extra attention. Bronny opened strong with a jumper over Flagg and a three-pointer to give the Lakers an early lead. But Flagg responded just minutes later with a ferocious dunk that electrified the crowd and got the Mavericks on the scoreboard.

The packed Thomas & Mack Center buzzed throughout the game, especially during Flagg’s second-quarter highlight—an audacious spin move and one-handed slam attempt over the Lakers’ 7-footer Christian Koloko, which narrowly missed but showcased his fearless approach.

Despite a cold shooting night, Flagg’s debut was seen as a promising start to his professional journey, with fans and analysts praising his poise, hustle, and leadership. As the Summer League continues, all eyes will remain on the Mavericks’ top prospect to see how he builds on this solid foundation.