Cooper Flagg lights up Las Vegas and sets high expectations with the Mavericks

NBA Summer League rarely produces headline-shaking moments. But this year, Cooper Flagg is breaking out of that norm. Amid a competitive locker room and bright lights directed at established names like Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson, the number one pick of the 2025 NBA Draft is already making noise in a Dallas Mavericks jersey.

After a rocky debut against the Lakers—where Cooper Flagg went just 5-for-21 from the field—the young forward flipped the switch. In his second game, against the San Antonio Spurs, Cooper Flagg dropped 31 points in 31 minutes.

High-level performance

That breakout performance earned Cooper Flagg the Wooden Award within the Summer League framework. It also got teammate Naji Marshall talking. “It’s a lot of pressure being the number one pick. I think he shook off the nerves. Came back with 30 in the second game. I’m excited to play with Cooper,” Marshall said, highlighting how the impact of the Maine native is already felt in the locker room.

Asked Naji Marshall about reuniting with his teammates in Las Vegas & his first impression of watching Cooper Flagg’s two summer league games:

“It was fun. I haven’t seen some of those guys in a minute. Cooper’s great, man. It’s a lot of pressure being the No. 1 pick…I think he… pic.twitter.com/z2Txu9uLMS

— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) July 18, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s mission isn’t simple. The kid has to find his footing within a team that has real championship ambitions. Add to that a roster filled with big names who handle the spotlight as smoothly as they handle the ball. But the 18-year-old seems to know that to stand out among giants, you first have to compete like one.

Expectations are high. From his dominant stint at Duke to the bold decision to jump straight into the NBA, Cooper Flagg has been labeled as a future face of the league. But talent isn’t measured by highlight reels alone—it’s measured by adaptability, consistency, and character. And that’s exactly what he’s beginning to show.

In Las Vegas, Cooper Flagg is fighting for a real spot in the Mavericks’ rotation. His upside is substantial, matched by his athletic ability, court vision, and quiet leadership. Dallas kicked off Summer League with a mixed record—two wins, three losses—but outlets like Marca suggest that if Cooper Flagg keeps climbing at this pace, his impact on the regular season could come sooner than expected.

 

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