Cooper Flagg’s highly anticipated NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks is off to an early pause, as the team has decided to shut down the No. 1 overall pick for the remainder of the Summer League. The move, first reported by Marc Stein, comes after Flagg displayed both early jitters and high-level promise in his first two outings.
Flagg struggled in his Summer League opener against Bronny James and the Lakers, shooting just 5-of-21 for 10 points in what he called “one of the worst games of my life.” But the 18-year-old bounced back in a big way, dropping 31 points in a loss to the Spurs, and raising his tournament average to 20.5 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Following that performance, Flagg admitted he was “exhausted” and still adjusting to the demands of playing point forward at the NBA level. With nothing left to prove in a developmental setting, the Mavericks are opting to prioritize rest and long-term readiness over short-term reps.
The franchise sees Flagg as a cornerstone for years to come, and his early flashes of elite talent have only reinforced that belief. Attention now turns to his official rookie campaign, which begins this October.
