Cooper Flagg’s first night in an NBA uniform looked every bit like the beginning of something special.
The 18-year-old forward delivered an all-around performance in his preseason debut Monday night, helping the Dallas Mavericks defeat the Oklahoma City Thunder 106-89 at Dickies Arena.
In just 14 minutes, the top overall pick finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and a block — and a glimpse of the poise that made him one of basketball’s most anticipated prospects.
“I had a lot of fun,” Flagg said. “This is a great team — we’ve got a lot of really good guys, a lot of great players. I thought we just played together really well, and that’s a fun brand of basketball to play when the ball’s moving around and everybody has each other’s back.”
Early Statement
It didn’t take long for Flagg to make his presence felt. Midway through the first quarter, Oklahoma City guard Isaiah Joe drove hard to the rim, only for Flagg to rotate from the weak side and meet him at the glass for a clean block that electrified the crowd.
“We’ve been working on our rotations defensively,” Flagg said. “Being the low man and rotating over — just having my guys’ back — that’s what it was.”
Moments later, he threaded a pass to Dereck Lively II for a dunk, and by the second quarter, he was in full rhythm. Over a span of less than three minutes, Flagg scored all 10 of his points — starting with a driving layup before drilling two threes and sinking a pair of free throws.
Dallas led by as many as 32 points before halftime and never looked back, out-rebounding the Thunder 58-43 and holding them to 31% shooting overall.
Jason Kidd Praises Poise and Versatility
Head coach Jason Kidd said the performance reflected exactly what the Mavericks had seen in Vancouver during training camp.
“He was great,” Kidd said. “Cooper did an incredible job for us. You got to see the defensive side, the playmaking, and his scoring ability. He’s been doing this since training camp, and he was really good tonight.”
Both of Flagg’s threes came off pick-and-roll actions — a sequence Kidd said highlighted the rookie’s comfort as a ball handler.
“I think that’s going to be one of our strengths — having him handle the ball, make reads, and run the pick-and-roll,” Kidd said. “For an 18-year-old, that’s pretty special and fun to watch.”
Flagg said that part of his game has been a focus since the summer.
“It’s about being comfortable expanding the floor and using the space that this bigger court gives you,” he said. “I’m just trying to utilize that to my advantage and be ready to knock down open shots.”
Dallas Mavericks Teammates Take Notice
Max Christie, who added 12 points off the bench, said Flagg’s ability to stay composed stood out most.
“I think he eased into the game really well,” Christie said. “His passing was really good, and he handled pressure really well. They tried to press him a little bit, but he looked like he belonged. He filled up the stat sheet — scoring, rebounding, passing — and had that great block early on. For a first game, it’s impressive.”
Kidd added that Flagg’s approach already mirrors that of a veteran.
“He works extremely hard,” Kidd said. “He competes to win. He’s diving on the floor, making the extra pass, doing everything to help the team win. For a rookie to play like that — it’s fun to be around.”
A Promising Start for Cooper Flagg
Dallas’ size and balance controlled the night, with 12 blocks and 46 points in the paint. Anthony Davis, P.J. Washington, and Lively anchored a frontcourt that set the tone on both ends, while the team shot 90% from the free-throw line.
For Kidd, the night also underscored how different this version of the Mavericks looks.
“In this league, you have to pivot with your roster,” he said. “This is a different team than I’ve had in the past. You saw that tonight — the pace was high, multiple guys touched the ball. To be big and play fast like that, hopefully that’s to our advantage.”
Flagg said he’s keeping his focus simple as he adjusts to NBA speed.
“Throughout the game, it’s just taking whatever the defense gives me,” he said. “Keeping it simple, making the right play — whether it’s a pass or a shot. It’s all about making the right read.”
The Mavericks host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday at American Airlines Center before continuing preseason play against Utah and the Lakers. For Flagg, the next step is continuing to build on a debut that already felt like a glimpse into Dallas’ future.
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