Cooper Flagg under the spotlight: Jason Kidd raises questions about his future after the matchup against the Thunder

Cooper Flagg struggled against the OKC Thunder on Friday, scoring only two points on 1-of-9 shooting, leaving many questioning his adjustment to professional basketball. After the game, his coach, Jason Kidd, confirmed that the rookie was not at 100% physically.

“He has a sore shoulder. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow,” Kidd explained. “He played hard, he’s a tough kid, but we’ll know more tomorrow.”

Cooper Flagg battles injuries while adjusting to the NBA

This situation raises questions about how Cooper Flagg will manage recovery and maintain his performance amid the demanding NBA schedule.

With back-to-back games against the Indiana Pacers and Detroit Pistons, every rest period and every minute on the court becomes crucial for his development.

Jason Kidd on Cooper Flagg’s status for the rest of the week after taking a hit to his shoulder early in the game:

“We’ll see how he feels tomorrow. His shoulder is sore, we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. He played through it, he’s a tough kid, but we’ll have more tomorrow.” pic.twitter.com/BVrflibUMt

— Noah Weber (@noahweber00) October 28, 2025

From promising rookie to historic comparisons: Cooper Flagg potential

Despite his poor showing against the Thunder, Cooper Flagg has already left a mark in the NBA. In a previous game against the Toronto Raptors, he scored 22 points without committing a turnover, making him the first player aged 18 or younger to achieve that feat—something only Kobe Bryant had done before.

Cooper Flagg is averaging 13.0 points per game over four contests, and while he is not under pressure to carry the team thanks to stars like Anthony Davis and Klay Thompson, he is expected to raise his level of play to help the Mavericks improve their 1-3 record.

Jason Kidd emphasized that Flagg ability to handle pain and the intensity of the schedule will be critical.

“He’s learning quickly that recovery and consistency are key in the NBA,” the coach noted.

With his combination of youth and talent, Cooper Flagg not only has the opportunity to overcome his current physical challenges but also to build a legacy that connects him with basketball greats.

Each game represents both a challenge and a chance to prove he can remain among the league’s most promising players.

In this early season filled with ups and downs, the narrative surrounding Cooper Flagg mixes intrigue, expectations. And the shadow of legends, keeping fans closely watching his every move on the court.