After just two games in the Summer League, Cooper Flagg has made a significant impact, leading the Dallas Mavericks to be cautious with their highly-touted rookie.
No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg dropped 31 points—and was a highlight reel in his second game of Vegas action. pic.twitter.com/wafUeM1lxx
— NBA (@NBA) July 12, 2025
Following his impressive performance, the Mavericks have opted to shut Flagg down for the remainder of the Summer League, as reported by Marc Stein. This strategy has become commonplace for teams with high draft picks who exhibit early brilliance. The risk of injury often outweighs the benefit of additional playing time in a chaotic Summer League setting.
Flagg had a challenging start against the Lakers, shooting 5-for-21 in his debut. However, he made an impressive recovery in his second game against the Nets, scoring 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting and earning 13 free throw attempts, all while contending with the defense of Carter Bryant. His performance highlighted not only his scoring ability but also his defensive skills and rebounding capability, easing early concerns regarding his transition to the physicality of the NBA.
The Mavericks are taking no chances with their investment in Flagg before training camp. His next opportunity to showcase his talents will likely come during the Mavericks’ preseason games in October, where fans will be keen to see how the 6-foot-9 forward adapts to full NBA competition.
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