Cooper Flagg’s NBA Debut Disappoints as Mavs Fall to Spurs 125-92

UPDATE: Cooper Flagg’s highly anticipated NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks ended in disappointment as they suffered a crushing 125-92 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on October 25, 2023, at the American Airlines Center.

In an electrifying start, Flagg showcased his skills by pushing the ball down the court, connecting with Anthony Davis for a lob pass. However, he failed to complete a highlight-reel dunk, setting the tone for a challenging night. Flagg finished the game with 10 points on just 4-of-13 shooting, struggling to find his rhythm as he went scoreless in the first half.

Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft, started at point guard—a position he had never played before joining the Mavericks. Unfortunately, his debut was marred by three turnovers and no assists. Reflecting on his performance, he admitted, “Not great. Obviously, didn’t play incredibly well, but we’ve got to move past it and start looking toward Friday [against the Washington Wizards].”

The game was dominated by Spurs star Victor Wembanyama, who recorded an impressive 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Fellow Spurs rookie Stephon Castle added 22 points and played a pivotal role as Flagg’s primary defender. “He didn’t shoot the ball well, but he seemed a lot more poised than I thought he would be,” Castle noted, highlighting Flagg’s composure despite the pressure.

In contrast, Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick behind Flagg, made a more impactful debut with 15 points off the bench. Flagg didn’t score until he made a midrange jumper on the first possession of the second half, leaving fans eager for more. “Game one. I mean, he’s still a rookie,” Davis stated, emphasizing the nerves that often accompany a debut. “First-game jitters when it’s time for the real thing. He’ll be fine.”

Despite the setback, Flagg became the fifth Dallas player to record a double-double in his NBA debut, grabbing 10 rebounds in 32 minutes of play. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd remained optimistic about Flagg’s performance. “I thought he played well. Now, the stat line is not going to say that,” Kidd said, adding that the rookie would learn from this experience.

According to ESPN Research, the Mavericks scored only eight points on the 19 possessions that Flagg brought the ball up the floor. The Mavs have adopted a supersized lineup featuring Klay Thompson as the shortest player at 6-foot-6, aiming for a system built around player and ball movement, with Flagg sharing playmaking duties.

Flagg acknowledged the team’s struggles, stating, “We just got a little stagnant. It’s early, so we got to keep working on that, figure it out, and get our flow a little bit better.” He attempted only two shots in the first half but showed determination to be more aggressive after halftime, going 4-of-11 in the third quarter.

Despite being outscored by 29 points while on the floor—the worst plus-minus in the game—Flagg remains focused on improvement. “I’m excited to keep going. Obviously, it hurts, the first loss being like that, but I’m just trying to look forward to the next one,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying positive.

As the Mavericks prepare for their next game against the Wizards on October 27, all eyes will be on Flagg as he looks to bounce back from a rocky start and prove his potential in the league.