LAS VEGAS — No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg overcame an off shooting night by delivering the most crucial play of the game in his NBA Summer League debut, helping the Dallas Mavericks secure an 87–85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.
With just over a minute remaining, Flagg swooped in from the weak side to block DJ Steward’s layup attempt, then led the break, drawing multiple defenders before dishing to Ryan Nembhard for the go-ahead three-pointer — a sequence that sealed the win. Despite finishing with just 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting (0-of-5 from three), Flagg’s late heroics and defensive effort defined his night.
“That’s what he does — he makes winning plays,” said Mavs assistant Josh Broghamer, who coached the team in Vegas. “Offense, defense, passing — that’s as advertised.”
Head coach Jason Kidd had instructed the team to use Flagg frequently as a primary ballhandler, pushing the 6-foot-8 rookie forward to expand his playmaking skills. The Lakers tested him early, trapping him at half court and playing him physically. Kidd viewed that as a sign of respect: “When you have someone like Cooper who can handle, shoot, and pass, you want the ball in his hands. His poise at 18 is incredible.”
Flagg’s stat line also included six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and one block. While his perimeter shots missed the mark — he made only two of 17 attempts outside the paint — he showed flashes of dominance in transition. His first bucket was a tomahawk dunk off a steal, followed by a smooth baseline fadeaway over Dalton Knecht, and an and-one layup through contact.
The top pick admitted afterward that his debut “might be one of the worst games of my life,” but emphasized the win. “The coaches have a lot of confidence in me,” Flagg said. “They want me to experiment and be aggressive. Shots weren’t falling, but that’s part of learning.”
Lakers guard Bronny James, who battled Flagg on several possessions, praised his opponent: “He’s great — I watched him all through college. He’s going to be something special.”
Even in an uneven debut, Cooper Flagg showed why Dallas believes he’s the franchise’s future cornerstone — a competitor who finds ways to win, even when his shot doesn’t.
