Cooper Flagg may not have been thrilled with his NBA Summer League debut on Thursday night, but he still earned plenty of praise as the Dallas Mavericks narrowly beat the Los Angeles Lakers 87-85.
Teammate Ryan Nembhard highlighted Flagg’s unselfish play and versatility, saying, “He’s super fun to play with. He can guard five positions and score well. All he wants to do is win.”
Flagg scored 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including missing all five of his three-point attempts. He also contributed six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and made a crucial block late in the game. With just over a minute left and Dallas down by one, Flagg blocked a shot by Lakers guard DJ Steward. Nembhard then hit a three-pointer on the other end to give the Mavericks the lead.
“It wasn’t his best night, but his presence helps others get good shots,” Nembhard added. “He’s a real talent, and it’s been great playing with him so far.”
Mavericks summer league coach Josh Broghamer praised the team’s effort, especially since they had only four practices together before arriving in Las Vegas. He noted the team really clicked in the second half, with good ball movement and smart decisions from players like Flagg and Nembhard.
Broghamer also admired Flagg’s stamina, given how the Lakers applied full-court pressure and physical defense throughout the game. “He keeps making the right plays, and the shots will come. He makes winning plays on both ends of the court,” Broghamer said.
Flagg, who played nearly 32 minutes, admitted he was nervous for his first professional game, attributing his struggles to adjusting from college to pro basketball. Still, he felt reassured by his coaches’ and teammates’ confidence in him.
Though Flagg called it “one of the worst games” he’s played, even Lakers player Bronny James had compliments. “He’s quick, powerful, and big,” James said. “I watched him in college, and he’s an amazing player. He’s going to be something special.”
