Fierce competition between two worthy opponents at the launch. Cooper Flagg in Summer League: Mavericks rookie posts 10 points in debut, while Bronny James scores 8

NBA fans got their first taste of the Cooper Flagg era in Dallas on Thursday night, and while the box score may not have sparkled, the excitement was undeniable. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft made his highly anticipated debut in Las Vegas Summer League, helping the Mavericks edge out the Los Angeles Lakers 87-85 in a nail-biting finish.

A Night of Grit and Glimpses of Greatness

Flagg finished with 10 points on a tough 5-of-21 shooting night, along with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals. While his shooting touch eluded him, Flagg’s fingerprints were all over the game, especially in the clutch. With the game hanging in the balance, he delivered a crucial block and set up the decisive three-pointer, sealing the win for Dallas.

“My performance wasn’t up to my standard,” Flagg admitted postgame. “Honestly, it was one of the worst games of my life. But I’m going to improve. I’ll be all right.”

Flagg’s first NBA points came in electrifying fashion—a breakaway dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. Despite going scoreless in the second half, his impact was felt in other ways: his size and defensive instincts stood out, and much of the Mavericks’ offense flowed through him, particularly before halftime.

Praise from the Sidelines

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was quick to highlight Flagg’s all-around contribution during a halftime interview on ESPN:

“I think Cooper’s done an incredible job with all the minutes. He’s handled the ball, created open looks for teammates, and finished plays. You can already see how much he can do in this league.”

Bronny James Brings the Heat

On the other side, Bronny James, son of NBA legend LeBron James, had his own moments. He started strong, scoring 8 points on 2-of-8 shooting, but like Flagg, went quiet in the second half. The much-anticipated duel between the two young stars delivered flashes of brilliance—Bronny even guarded Flagg one-on-one, forcing tough shots and nearly coming up with a steal.

“Cooper’s a quick, powerful big,” Bronny said of his counterpart. “He’s a great player and he’s going to get his sometimes.”

Other Standouts and Takeaways

While the marquee names struggled to find their rhythm after halftime, other players seized the spotlight. Cole Swider led all scorers with 22 points for the Lakers, and Dallas rookie Ryan Nembhard looked every bit a future pro, pouring in 21 points and orchestrating a key run in the third quarter.

With ticket prices soaring for this marquee matchup—some courtside seats fetching over $3,000—the anticipation was reminiscent of Victor Wembanyama’s Summer League debut just two years ago.

Looking Ahead

It’s unclear how many more Summer League games Flagg will play, as the Mavericks already see him as a pivotal piece for their playoff push. For Bronny James and fellow Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht, the Summer League remains a proving ground, with their next test coming Saturday against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Final Thoughts

Flagg’s debut may not have been a statistical masterpiece, but it offered plenty of reasons for Mavericks fans to be excited. His resilience, versatility, and flashes of brilliance on both ends of the court showed why Dallas made him the top pick—and why the NBA world will be watching his every move.