How to Watch Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers in NBA Summer League: Cooper Flagg Debuts vs. Bronny James
The NBA Summer League spotlight turns to the Thomas & Mack Center on Thursday as No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg makes his long-awaited debut for the Dallas Mavericks against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The matchup serves as the headliner on opening night in Las Vegas, with tipoff set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. While it’s just Summer League, the atmosphere will reflect something much bigger — a first glimpse at the face of Dallas’ future and a new chapter following the Luka Dončić era.
How to Watch Dallas Mavericks at Summer League vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Date: Thursday, July 10
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Thomas & Mack Center — Las Vegas, NV.
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: MavsTV
All Eyes on Cooper Flagg’s First NBA Test
Flagg, who starred at Duke last season and became the fourth freshman in NCAA history to win National Player of the Year, will be thrown directly into the fire. The 18-year-old forward has been given the green light to experiment with multiple roles, including primary ball-handling duties — a decision Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said was intentional.
“I want to put him at the point guard,” Kidd said. “I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts — being able to run the show, being able to play the two, play the three. He’s comfortable playing that. But we want to push.”
Flagg embraced the approach, noting that his experience at Duke under head coach Jon Scheyer gave him a foundation to take on more responsibility.
“Coach Scheyer trusted me a lot last year at Duke, and I handled the ball often in the halfcourt, setting up actions and making plays,” Flagg said. “I think it’s something I can do at a high level, so I’m excited to experiment and do some new things.”
Dallas Summer League head coach Josh Broghamer echoed Kidd’s message, emphasizing Flagg’s two-way potential and positionless utility.
“We’ve had him guard the ball. We’ve had him guard the bigs,” Broghamer said. “Just seeing what he can do and letting him play his brand of basketball, which fits a lot of different areas.”
No Cooper Flagg vs. Dylan Harper — Yet
The No. 1 vs. No. 2 matchup will have to wait. While the NBA has often featured top-two picks squaring off to open Summer League, Spurs rookie Dylan Harper — the second overall selection — is out due to a groin injury and won’t play in San Antonio’s opener against Philadelphia. He is expected to make his debut Saturday against Flagg and the Mavericks.
Instead, the marquee showdown features Flagg and James, two of the most discussed prospects in recent memory. James did not play in the Lakers’ first California Classic game but scored 10 points in his debut against Miami.
Betting Line Favors Lakers
Oddsmakers are giving Los Angeles the early edge. The Lakers opened as 5.5-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, listed at -170 on the money line with a game total of 177.5. There are a few player prop betting options for Flagg, including +125 for him to score at least 20 points, +300 for him to grab 10 or more rebounds, and plenty of player prop specials. Flagg’s expected usage as a lead initiator could create value in assist and rebound markets as Summer League continues.
A New Chapter for Dallas Basketball
Thursday marks more than just a debut — it’s the start of a rebuild centered around a player the franchise believes can anchor its identity for the next decade. The Mavericks landed the No. 1 pick despite holding the 11th-best lottery odds and used it to select a player they believe checks every box.
“He’s one of the first guys in the gym,” Broghamer said. “We had to make him sit down on the Fourth of July because he already wanted to be in here working.”
Flagg has built early chemistry with two-way guard Ryan Nembhard and impressed coaches with his poise, IQ, and willingness to do the little things. He’s also taken a measured approach to his first taste of professional basketball.
“I just want to go out there and show that I’ve improved, that I’ve gotten better, and just have a strong weekend,” Flagg said.
Beyond individual skills, Flagg has embraced the team’s up-tempo, read-and-react style of play and sees the system as a natural fit for his game.
“I’ve been putting in work on reading defenses quicker and making the right play off the catch,” Flagg said. “Whether it’s kicking out, throwing the lob, or just being patient in the lane — that’s where I want to grow.”
“I just want to go out there and show that I’ve improved, that I’ve gotten better, and just have a strong weekend,” he added.
The Mavericks haven’t confirmed how many games he will play in Las Vegas, but the buzz surrounding Thursday’s opener suggests this first look will be appointment viewing.
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