Cooper Flagg Shines Bright as Mavericks Edge Lakers 87-85 in Thrilling Summer League Debut for No. 1 Overall Pick

In a high-stakes environment where every dribble, pass, and possession feels like a referendum on potential greatness, Cooper Flagg delivered a performance that was as thrilling as it was validating. Making his long-anticipated debut in the NBA Summer League, Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, led the Dallas Mavericks to a dramatic 87-85 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas. The arena buzzed with energy from the opening tip, but by the final buzzer, it was the 19-year-old from Maine who had seized control of the narrative and captured the spotlight.

Wearing No. 32 for Dallas—a subtle nod to greatness past—Flagg looked every bit the franchise cornerstone he was drafted to be. He finished with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and a game-saving defensive stop in the final seconds that preserved the win. More than the stat sheet, though, it was the poise, timing, and flair with which he played that turned heads and set social media ablaze.

From the moment Flagg stepped onto the court, it was clear this was no ordinary debut. His first touch was a silky pull-up jumper from the elbow that kissed nothing but net. On the next possession, he fired a no-look pass to an open corner shooter, who drained the three with ease. But it wasn’t just offense—Flagg was everywhere on defense, rotating seamlessly, altering shots, diving for loose balls, and barking out switches like a seasoned pro.

The Lakers came in with their own promising rookie duo in Isaiah Collier and Bronny James Jr., and for most of the game, it was a tightly contested chess match. Collier’s slashing ability and Bronny’s confident perimeter shooting gave the Lakers a brief edge in the second quarter, helping them take a 43-39 lead into halftime. But the third quarter belonged to Flagg.

With Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd sitting courtside alongside team exec Nico Harrison, Flagg erupted for 12 third-quarter points, including a jaw-dropping baseline spin move that ended with a thunderous dunk over two defenders. The highlight instantly made the rounds online, accompanied by captions like “Flagg Season Has Arrived” and “Welcome to the League.”

“Cooper’s presence is real,” Kidd said postgame, visibly impressed. “You don’t always see that kind of control and feel from a kid in his first pro game. He impacts the game in so many ways—it’s beyond just scoring.”

Indeed, Flagg’s fingerprints were all over the Mavericks’ surge in the second half. His ability to rebound and push in transition opened up the floor for teammates, and his high basketball IQ allowed him to dissect defensive coverages with the poise of a ten-year vet. His decision-making never felt rushed, even when the Lakers dialed up the pressure.

“He’s calm in the chaos,” said Mavs summer league coach Jared Dudley. “That’s the biggest compliment I can give him. You throw double teams, hard hedges, traps—he sees it all and makes the right play. That’s special.”

Yet the Lakers refused to go away. With under two minutes remaining, they mounted a 6-0 run to tie the game at 85-85. After a missed shot by Dallas, the Lakers had a chance to take the lead. Collier drove hard to the rim, only to be met at the summit by Flagg, who swatted the ball off the glass in what can only be described as a statement block.

On the other end, Flagg orchestrated the go-ahead play, drawing the defense in before kicking out to undrafted sharpshooter Malik Simms, who buried the game-winning jumper from the left wing with 3.7 seconds left. The Lakers scrambled for a last-gasp attempt, but Flagg again disrupted the play, forcing a contested three that clanged off the rim.

As the buzzer sounded, Flagg raised both arms in the air, a modest celebration for a monumental first step. Teammates mobbed him at center court, while cameras followed his every move. There was no over-the-top theatrics, no bravado—just a quiet confidence that echoed throughout Thomas & Mack Center: Cooper Flagg is the real deal.

For Flagg, the moment was one of validation after months of scrutiny and pressure leading up to the draft.

“I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid,” he said postgame, his voice calm but firm. “I just wanted to come out, compete, and help my team win. That’s what matters most. The stats, the attention—it’s cool. But the win is what I’m most proud of.”

When asked about what he’s looking to improve, Flagg didn’t hesitate.

“Everything,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”

NBA legends and analysts chimed in throughout the night. Hall of Famer Grant Hill, now an executive with USA Basketball, posted on X (formerly Twitter): “Cooper Flagg is HIM. Smooth, smart, unselfish—and fearless. Dallas got a superstar.”

The comparisons will undoubtedly continue. Flagg’s skill set has drawn early parallels to players like Larry Bird, Kevin Durant, and even a young Luka Dončić. But Flagg seems uninterested in being the next anybody. He’s carving out a name of his own—and quickly.

His presence has also injected new life into the Mavericks franchise. After falling short in the 2025 playoffs, Dallas made a bold move by trading up to select Flagg with the top pick. It was a bet on the future, and if one game is any indication, it’s a gamble that could pay off in historic fashion.

With Flagg leading the way, the Mavericks are now must-watch TV, even in July. The buzz surrounding his debut was not limited to just Dallas or Los Angeles—it was a league-wide moment. Ticket prices for the next Mavericks summer league game reportedly doubled overnight, and NBA TV saw record viewership for the contest.

“People are excited because they know what they’re seeing is rare,” said ESPN’s Mike Schmitz. “You can’t teach feel. You can’t teach timing. Cooper Flagg has both—and then some.”

There’s still a long summer ahead, and plenty of games left to play. But for now, the basketball world is united in its verdict: Cooper Flagg’s debut was a rousing success.

He showed why he was the No. 1 pick, why Dallas moved mountains to get him, and why he could very well change the trajectory of an entire franchise.

In the closing minutes of the postgame presser, a young fan shouted from the stands: “Cooper, you saved the day!”

Flagg smiled, waved, and walked off without saying a word. No need. His play had already said it all.