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HomeDallas Mavericks‘Keep Playing’: Kyrie Irving’s Sideline Advice Fuels Cooper Flagg’s Growth During NBA Debut
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‘Keep Playing’: Kyrie Irving’s Sideline Advice Fuels Cooper Flagg’s Growth During NBA Debut

Jake RogersJake Rogersno comment
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks, NBA
Nick White/DallasHoopsJournal.com

The scoreboard told one story. Kyrie Irving told another. As the Dallas Mavericks fell 125-92 to the San Antonio Spurs on opening night, rookie forward Cooper Flagg’s long-anticipated NBA debut was anything but smooth. But from his seat on the sideline, Irving — sidelined by a left knee injury — provided the steadying presence the 18-year-old needed in real time.

“(He said) just keep your head up,” Flagg recalled after the game. “It’s a long game, there were a lot of possessions left, so just forget about whatever happened and keep your head up.”

Flagg’s line — 10 points and 10 rebounds — offered flashes of promise against an opponent few players ever solve. Matched up with Victor Wembanyama, who delivered 40 points and 15 boards, the teenager faced the toughest possible welcome to the league.

“Not great,” Flagg admitted. “Obviously, I didn’t play incredibly well. But you got to move past it and try to focus on Friday (against Washington). It’s basketball. It’s not always going to go your way. It’s not always going to be perfect. But you got to adjust and be better on the fly.”

Early Lessons for Cooper Flagg in Real Time

For Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, the performance revealed why Dallas is comfortable putting the ball in Flagg’s hands this early. He may have missed shots, but he never stopped competing.

“I thought Cooper played within himself,” Kidd said. “He took what the defense gave him, was making plays and diving on the floor. He’s one that’s not going to go out there and shoot every time he touches it. He tries to play the game the right way.”

Kidd noted that what happened on Wednesday night — the double teams, the speed, the physicality — was a necessary step in Flagg’s education.

“I like the way he played,” Kidd said. “He’s going to be one of the best players to play this game. For him to see as a rookie how they’re playing him, to be able to go back and watch the tape — because he’s going to see it again — so he can get better… with a double-double to come out as a rookie is not bad.”

Dallas Mavericks Finding Balance in the Noise

Anthony Davis, who finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds, said the growing pains are inevitable when everything — the lights, the matchup, the national stage — hits at once.

“It’s Game one. He’s still a rookie,” Davis said. “When Game one comes around, packed stadium and national TV game – everything (on social media) was No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg and Wemby matchup. So you’re hearing it. First-game jitters when it’s time for the real thing. He’ll be fine. It’s Game one. We’re all going to be better.”

Despite the lopsided result, Flagg felt the energy from the American Airlines Center crowd — even as his own debut felt uneven.

“I felt a lot of support,” he said. “The fans were great and had a lot of energy, but we got to give them something a little bit more to stay hyped for, so that’s on us. But they showed up and they were great.”

For Flagg, Irving’s sideline voice wasn’t just encouragement — it was a reminder that the journey is as long as it is difficult. The Mavericks return to the floor Friday night against the Wizards, with their newest star determined to apply those lessons quickly.

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Tags :Anthony DavisCooper FlaggDallas MavericksJason KiddKyrie IrvingMavericks NewsNBANBA DebutVictor Wembanyama

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