‘We Got the Win, That’s What Really Matters’: Cooper Flagg Grits Through Shooting Struggles in Summer League Debut
Cooper Flagg’s professional debut wasn’t perfect, and he said so himself. But in a packed UNLV Thomas & Mack Center filled with excitement, noise, and expectation, the No. 1 overall pick still left his mark in the Dallas Mavericks’ 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night in summer league action.
Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-of-21 shooting, including 0-for-5 from 3-point range, but added six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in 32 minutes. Though the shooting line was tough, his impact was felt in key moments, particularly late in the game.
“I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life,” Flagg said. “But we got the win, so that’s what really matters to me. My teammates — Miles, Ryan, Jordan — they held it down. They did what they had to do. I’m just glad we got the win.”
Aggressive Approach, Early Adjustment
From the opening tip, Flagg took on an offensive role. While many rookies ease their way into summer league, Flagg attacked from the start — a mindset the Mavericks’ staff encouraged.
“The coaches had a lot of confidence in me,” he said. “They’ve been telling me they want me to experiment, try some new things. I was trying to be aggressive — that’s new for me, too.”
Flagg missed his first two attempts and picked up an early foul just 46 seconds into the game. Bronny James buried a jumper over him and followed it with a 3-pointer to put the Lakers up 5-0. But Flagg responded with a two-handed slam midway through the first quarter to get Dallas on the board — a play that jolted the crowd and his own confidence.
Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly brought the house down with a spin move into a one-handed dunk attempt over 7-footer Christian Koloko. The ball clanged off the rim, but the crowd roared.
“It’s just a different game — different spacing, different guys,” Flagg said of the transition from training camp to live action. “A lot of players are in different parts of their careers, coming from different angles. So it’s about meshing that all together, figuring out what works and what doesn’t.”
Responding to Physicality
The Lakers pressured Flagg defensively from the opening possession, sending multiple defenders at him and picking him up full court. Flagg welcomed the challenge.
“For sure, that’s what a lot of people are going to do,” he said. “I know that coming in. I feel like I can handle that type of pressure. I don’t think I did a terrible job. Shots weren’t falling, but that’s going to happen. It is somewhat new to me. I probably haven’t taken that many shots before, so I’m trying to figure it out.”
He noted that his conditioning is still catching up after a long pre-draft process. After weeks of individual workouts, travel, and interviews, Flagg is now adjusting to the pace and physicality of full 5-on-5 game action — something he hadn’t done consistently since his college season ended. The uptick in tempo, defensive pressure, and live reps presented a new challenge.
“Obviously, I’m not in full game shape,” he said. “I was a little tired, but it was good to deal with that, work through some things.”
Despite shooting just 23.8%, Flagg continued to impact the game defensively and as a playmaker.
Late-Game Defense, Nembhard’s Heroics
With the game tied at 85 and just over a minute remaining, Flagg made one of the night’s biggest plays — blocking DJ Steward’s drive to the rim. Seconds later, Ryan Nembhard hit the go-ahead 3-pointer on the other end to seal the 87-85 win.
“DJ is a great player. He loves to get downhill,” Flagg said. “He’s another Duke guy, so being able to block him late in the game was a big-time play.”
Nembhard, who finished with 21 points and five assists, credited Flagg’s decision-making down the stretch, particularly in a high-pressure moment where Flagg read the defense and made the unselfish choice to keep the possession alive.
“There was this guy in the corner, me there, so it was just the right play — and he’s gonna make that right play,” Nembhard said.
He also spoke at length about the chemistry already forming between the two. In just a few weeks of practicing together, Flagg and Nembhard have started to develop a rhythm, not just in pick-and-roll actions or transition, but in their shared mentality on the court. Both are detail-oriented, vocal, and focused on making the right play, which has helped their connection grow quickly.
“Super fun to play with,” Nembhard said. “He’s a super unselfish guy. All he wants to do is win. He guards five positions. He can score the ball really well. Obviously, it wasn’t his night tonight, but the gravity he has out there helps other guys get good looks.”
“Absolutely,” he added. “We have a little bit of a Montverde connection… two guys who come in and love the game. He’s a cool dude, so it’s an easy connection to build.”
With Flagg initiating the offense often, Nembhard adjusted to playing more off the ball — a shift from his typical role as a primary ballhandler.
“Obviously a new role for me… but I think I’ve adjusted well,” he said. “You have guys that are so talented that are on the ball — you figure out how to play off the ball.”
Embracing the Moment, Building Confidence
Though Flagg approached his debut with a stone-faced demeanor, he admitted the moment carried weight. From the walk through the tunnel to warmups under the bright lights, the atmosphere in Las Vegas was unlike anything he had experienced. Cameras followed his every move, and the crowd buzzed with anticipation long before tipoff.
“I was definitely a little nervous — new environment, new fans,” he said. “But I’m just happy to be here. It’s a dream come true. I’m trying to enjoy the moment.”
Flagg also acknowledged the unique dynamic of the summer league, where players with varied experience levels and career paths must quickly find chemistry. Some are rookies getting their first professional reps, others are on two-way deals or returning for a second stint, and a few are veterans trying to earn a roster spot. That mix creates opportunity and unpredictability.
“It’s just a different game — different spacing, different guys. A lot of players are in different parts of their careers, coming from different angles,” he explained. “So it’s about meshing that all together, figuring out what works and what doesn’t. We have a good group of guys. Miles, Ryan — they were really good tonight. I’m just glad we got the win.”
Focus on Rhythm Moving Forward
As Flagg and the Mavericks look ahead, the focus shifts to fine-tuning offensive rhythm and playing with more cohesion from the start. The team had stretches of stagnant ball movement and inconsistent spacing, particularly in the first half, and Flagg acknowledged those lapses.
Building chemistry with new teammates — many of whom are adjusting to new roles — will be key to unlocking smoother halfcourt execution and better shot selection.
“I think just finding a better rhythm, getting into a better flow,” he said. “We got a little choppy at times. I think we’ll find better actions to get into early, move the ball around more, and I think that’ll help us a lot.”
Flagg also appreciated the freedom he’s been given to develop his game. Rather than being boxed into a specific role or set of responsibilities, he’s been encouraged to experiment — to initiate offense, defend multiple positions, and test his limits in real time. That kind of runway, especially in a setting like summer league, is critical for a young player adjusting to the speed and complexity of the pro level.
“Coach Kidd and the staff have put a lot of confidence in me,” he said. “They want me to try new things, experiment, expand my game — and I feel that trust.”
He’ll have better nights statistically, but Flagg’s debut underscored his value beyond scoring. The foundation is clear from defensive stops to initiating offense and showing leadership in his first professional setting. The next chapter of Cooper Flagg’s journey is officially underway.
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