The anticipation surrounding Flagg’s first appearance in a Mavericks uniform is matched only by the intrigue of seeing Bronny James, now entering his second year, take the court for the Lakers, making this one of the most talked-about Summer League openers in recent memory.

Spotlight on Flagg and Bronny

Cooper Flagg arrives in Las Vegas carrying the weight of immense expectations. After a dominant freshman season at Duke, where he averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, Flagg was the consensus top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. 

Flagg now steps into a Mavericks squad that is in win-now mode, joining established veterans like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, and is expected to contribute immediately as Dallas looks to remain a contender in the Western Conference.

Across the court, Bronny James is looking to build on his rookie year with the Lakers. While his NBA minutes were limited last season, James impressed in the G League, averaging 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists over 11 games.

With the Lakers’ roster now featuring superstar talent such as LeBron James and Luka Dončić, Bronny is aiming to carve out a bigger role and prove himself as a reliable contributor off the bench. The Summer League opener offers him a high-profile stage to showcase his growth and readiness for a larger NBA role.

A Marquee Doubleheader and Draft Class Showcase

The Mavericks-Lakers matchup is just the beginning of a blockbuster night for Summer League fans. Immediately following Flagg’s debut, the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper will face off against V.J. Edgecombe and the Philadelphia 76ers, pitting three of the top draftees from the 2025 class against each other in back-to-back games.

This year’s Summer League, running from July 10–20, is expected to draw significant attention, with Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe, and other top rookies all set to make their NBA debuts. Even if Flagg doesn’t play in every game, his opening night appearance has been given the primetime slot, underlining the league’s confidence in his star power and the excitement he brings to the Mavericks franchise.

As the countdown to tip-off continues, all eyes will be on Las Vegas to see how Cooper Flagg and Bronny James perform on one of basketball’s brightest summer stages.