How Cooper Flagg Fared In Nba Debut In Mavericks’ Opener Vs. Spurs

Cooper Flagg made his NBA debut connected Wednesday, taking nan level arsenic nan Mavericks faced nan Spurs astatine nan American Airlines Center.

Despite playing mini guardant astatine Duke and opinionated 6'9", Flagg made his debut successful nan starting lineup astatine constituent guard. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd noted backmost successful June that he wanted to usage Flagg astatine constituent guard, which gives them an opportunity to boast nan league's biggest team.

"I want to make him uncomfortable and spot really he reacts being capable to tally nan show," Kidd said of Flagg playing constituent defender successful June. "Being capable to play nan 2, play nan 3, he's comfortable playing that. But we want to push, and I deliberation he's going to respond successful a affirmative way. It's each correct to fail, it's each correct to move nan shot over."

Flagg instantly sewage nan crippled started pinch a bargain and astir cashed successful connected a thrilling alley-oop from Anthony Davis, but was incapable to get nan shot into nan net. Davis ended up cleaning up pinch a bucket disconnected nan rebound.

After that, it was a slow commencement for Flagg, who attempted conscionable 2 shots successful nan first half, missed both, and vanished nan half pinch six rebounds and nary points complete 17 minutes of action. At different constituent successful nan first half, Spurs' Stephon Castle forced a turnover connected Flagg and ran it nan different measurement for a basket.

In nan 2nd half, Flagg quickly made his first profession handbasket connected a jumper. He seemed to get successful a amended hit precocious successful nan 3rd 4th pinch back-to-back baskets. Flagg ended up finishing pinch 10 points connected 4-of-13 shooting to spell on pinch 10 rebounds and 1 bargain crossed 32 minutes—good for his first NBA double-double. Flagg deed some of his free-throw, missed his lone three-point effort and committed 3 turnovers.

The hyped No. 1 prime saw his first master action, but nan Spurs' young trio of top-five picks Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper stole nan show—especially Wembanyama, who was ascendant successful his return and their 125-92 triumph complete nan Mavericks. Wembanyama notched 40 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks, while Castle and Harper mixed for 37 points.

It was acold from nan storybook commencement for nan Flagg era successful Dallas, and location will beryllium plentifulness for nan Flagg to study from this nonaccomplishment arsenic they hole for their adjacent crippled against nan Wizards.

More NBA connected Sports Illustrated