LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James.
A packed-out Thomas & Mack Center got what it wanted in the second quarter of Thursday’s Summer League game between the Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers.
In their first faceoff, Flagg tried backing James down on the left side of the floor. James fouled Flagg. Then the Mavericks inbounded the ball to Flagg, who rose for a jumper over the second-year guard. The Mavericks went on to notch an 87-85 win over the Lakers.
Flagg scored 10 points in his unofficial debut as a Maverick. While he wasn’t especially efficient, only connecting on 5 of 21 shots, he still provided several reminders of why he was the top pick in last month’s NBA draft.
“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, they held it down. They did what they had to do.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said in June that he planned to deploy Flagg at point guard frequently throughout the season, and Dallas wasted no time putting Flagg in a ball-handling role Thursday. He brought the ball up the floor on the Mavericks’ first possession of the game, and the Lakers sent a double team at him.
Toward the end of the first quarter, Flagg began to discover a rhythm. He dunked in transition for his first basket of the game. He then got a midrange jumper to fall.
Flagg never scored after halftime, though. He was one of several Mavericks players who struggled to make shots from 3-point territory. Flagg shot 0 of 5 from distance. As a team, Dallas went 9 of 28 from 3.
“I thought in the first half we kind of just stood and watched Cooper play,” Mavericks Summer League coach Josh Broghamer said. “I have to do a better job. I thought the second half, we did a much better job of playing basketball. That ball was moving. We were making the right decisions.”
Miles Kelly, one of Dallas’ two-way signees, accounted for three 3-point makes. He finished with 17 points.
Dallas’ other two-way player under contract — point guard Ryan Nembhard — had a strong performance as well. Nembhard contributed 21 points and five assists. Nembhard made midrange jumpers throughout the evening and played controlled basketball in front of his older brother, Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, who was in attendance.
With just a little more than one minute remaining, Flagg blocked a Lakers shot and got the ball to Nembhard for a go-ahead 3. The Mavericks survived James’ go-ahead jumper attempt in the final seconds to win.
“He didn’t score the ball really well,” Nembhard said of playing with Flagg. “It wasn’t his night tonight. But the gravity he has, it helps guys get good looks. He’s super talented.”
Flagg’s first game drew many key Mavericks officials to Las Vegas. Team governor Patrick Dumont was in the building, and his son was wearing Flagg’s No. 32 jersey. Kidd was in attendance, and so was minority owner Mark Cuban.
Mavericks players Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Naji Marshall and Max Christie sat courtside and got to watch Dallas’ Summer League squad grind out a win.
Though Flagg had a bad shooting night, his talent was apparent in flashes. He seemed to excel most in transition, and while point guard isn’t his natural position, he rarely looked flustered when he got Dallas into its offense.
“I was looking forward to (playing point guard), splitting some reps with Ryan (Nembhard),” Flagg said. “It’s new for me — bringing it up. Having that full-court pressure a bunch. Obviously, I’m not in full game shape. I’m a little tired. But just dealing with that. It was fun experimenting and trying to do different things.”
Expect plenty more Point Flagg this season based on everything the Mavericks’ coaching staff has said. Flagg will suit up next Saturday, when the Mavericks face the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper in Las Vegas.
“I was a little nervous but excited,” Flagg said. “Just happy to be here. It’s a dream come true. Just trying to enjoy the moment.”
(Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images)
