How Was Cooper Flagg's Debut For the Dallas Mavericks?
In his long-awaited NBA debut, Cooper Flagg battled nerves and the Spurs’ firepower, finishing with a hard-earned double-double in Dallas’ opener.
Dallas Mavericks fans had waited months to see Cooper Flagg, the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, step into the spotlight. On Wednesday night, he finally did, but not quite with the storybook beginning fans imagined.
Starting unusually at point guard in Jason Kidd’s oversized lineup, the 18-year-old forward faced an unforgiving welcome from Victor Wembanyama’s surging San Antonio Spurs, who ran away with a 125–92 victory.
Flagg, the second-youngest starter in league history after LeBron James, went scoreless in the first half before settling into a rhythm in the third quarter. His final line (10 points, 10 rebounds, and three turnovers on 4-of-13 shooting) was respectable but underwhelming given the game’s hype.
Still, Flagg joined rare company as only the fifth Maverick to record a double-double in his debut, a feat that quietly underscored his potential amid a difficult night.
Finding His Footing
Flagg’s early struggles came from both positioning and pressure. Dallas experimented with him as a ball-handler, an adjustment that exposed his inexperience running the offense against San Antonio’s aggressive defense. Spurs guard Stephon Castle, the reigning Rookie of the Year, hounded Flagg all night, forcing him into uncomfortable spots.
“Not great,” Flagg admitted afterward. “Didn’t play incredibly well, but we’ll move past it and keep improving.”
Despite the rough start, Flagg showed flashes of the skill that made him the No. 1 pick. His first NBA basket, a smooth mid-range jumper, was followed by a confident fadeaway that drew cheers from the home crowd. His defensive rebounding and physicality remained consistent, matching up against players like Anthony Davis, who led Dallas with 22 points and 13 boards.
Lessons in a Learning Curve
Coach Jason Kidd downplayed any concerns about the debut, emphasizing Flagg’s long-term upside. “He played well,” Kidd said postgame. “No one in this room is sitting in his shoes. For a rookie, he did fine and he’ll be better next game.”
The Mavericks will give him time to adapt to handling NBA speed and pressure while sharing playmaking duties with veterans like Davis and P.J. Washington.
Against one of basketball’s brightest young stars, Flagg learned firsthand what it takes to belong among the elite. Dallas lost the opener but their prized rookie gained his first taste of the league’s reality and the promise that comes with perseverance.
