In their first on court meeting, the former Mavericks franchise star and Dallas’s new No. 1 pick shared the stage and the storyline. Flagg responded to the spotlight with a poised double double, finishing with 13 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds as he initiated much of the Mavericks offense against an aggressive Lakers defense.

Through roughly his first 20 games, the 18 year old forward has averaged around 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists, numbers that already position him as a central pillar in Dallas’s rebuild.​

The Mavericks front office has framed Flagg as the player who can help heal the rift created when the franchise moved on from Doncic, and his early playmaking has only reinforced that belief.

His ability to control tempo, see passes a beat early and keep turnovers low has quickly earned trust in a locker room still adjusting to life after a blockbuster trade.​

Doncic’s Respect for the Rookie

After powering the Lakers to a 129 to 119 win with 35 points, 11 assists and five rebounds, Doncic was asked specifically about Flagg’s game and did not hesitate to endorse the teenager’s trajectory.

The MVP candidate acknowledged the pressure that comes with being the first overall pick and noted that Flagg already looks comfortable shouldering that responsibility, predicting that he will grow into a great player.​

Doncic highlighted Flagg’s ability to get into the paint and create for others, an assessment backed up by the rookie’s career high 11 assists in the matchup. Even while pointing out that Flagg is not a traditional point guard, Doncic stressed how naturally he involves teammates, a subtle compliment from one of the league’s elite playmakers.​

Game Stakes and Future Storyline

For Doncic, these games against Dallas still carry emotional weight, even as he admitted they are “a little bit easier now” with time and distance from the trade.

He has consistently answered the moment, posting a triple double in the first meeting and at least 35 points in each of the last two, all Lakers wins as Los Angeles has surged near the top of the West.​

Dallas, meanwhile, is leaning into Flagg’s rapid development as a reason to stay patient through early season struggles.

If Friday was any indication, the NBA may have found its next great intergenerational subplot: the former face of the Mavericks, now in purple and gold, trading big nights and respectful messages with the teenager tasked with redefining basketball in Dallas.