Top Pick Takes the Stage in Las Vegas
Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made his professional debut in the NBA 2K26 Summer League as the Mavericks narrowly defeated the Lakers 87–85 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Flagg’s Stat Line: Efficient Everywhere Except Shooting
- 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting (0-of-5 from deep)
- Added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block in 32 minutes of play
- Went scoreless in the entire second half.
Despite a difficult night shooting, Flagg contributed in all phases of the game and proved valuable in crunch time.
Moments Worth Remembering
- His first points came on a ferocious one-handed dunk after a steal—a signal of his athletic upside.
- Game-sealing sequence: Blocked DJ Steward’s layup with ~1:10 left, followed by a transition assist to Ryan Nembhard, who buried a go-ahead three-pointer with ~59 seconds remaining.
Coach Kidd Praises Maturity and Decision-Making
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd applauded Flagg’s poise as an 18-year-old rookie, highlighting his ability to handle pressure, make winning plays, and set up teammates despite early struggles.
Bitter Rivalry with Bronny James
Flagg’s matchup with Bronny James—son of LeBron and a 2024 second-round pick—drew high drama. Bronny scored 8 points and missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in the closing seconds. A controversial foul call on Bronny’s defense drew social media backlash.
Biggest Summer League Hype Yet
Demand for tickets reached record levels—courtside seats cost up to $2,500, and fans lined up hours before tip-off to witness what could be the start of two future stars’ careers.
Analysis: Rough Shooting, But All-Around Impact
- Despite shooting just 23.8% and missing all five three-pointers attempted, Flagg’s impact extended well beyond scoring.
- His 6–4–3–1 stat line closely mirrored his per-game college averages at Duke and showcased his ability to affect the game in multiple ways.
- Analysts noted that his full-court vision, rotation, and pace-control hinted at growth potential—even if his shot wasn’t falling early .
Looking Forward: What Comes Next
Flagg stated bluntly that it “might be one of the worst games of my life,” but emphasized the team’s victory as what truly mattered. He vows to improve and adjust to the pace of the professional game as the Summer League continues.
Mavericks Ride Team Effort to Edge Lakers
- Ryan Nembhard led the way with 21 points, while Miles Kelly added 17 for Dallas.
- Cole Swider posted a 22-point, 10-rebound double-double to lead the Lakers, though ultimately unable to close it out
Final Thoughts
Cooper Flagg’s debut recalled the classic prospect journey: high expectations, early struggles with shot-making, but undeniable flashes of why he was drafted first. He may not have dominated the box score, but his defensive instincts, court awareness, and impactful plays earned applause—and a close win for the Mavericks.
As Summer League continues, Flagg will have more chances to find his rhythm and show the playmaking and size that made him a generational prospect. For now, Dallas leaves Las Vegas with a 1–0 start—and headline moments to build upon.
