Cooper Flagg Showed Out In NBA Summer League, So Mavericks Shut Him Down

Cooper Flagg, the #1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft playing for the Dallas Mavericks, will not participate further in the NBA Summer League after appearing in only two games. He scored 10 points in his debut against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James. In his second game against the San Antonio Spurs, Flagg delivered a standout performance with 31 points (shooting 10-21 from the field and 8-13 from the free-throw line), along with 4 rebounds and a block. Despite his efforts, the Mavericks lost 76-69, with Flagg accounting for 45% of the team's points. Dylan Harper, the #2 pick, scored 16 points for the victorious Spurs.

Following these two appearances, the Dallas Mavericks have decided to shut Flagg down for the remainder of the summer. According to reports, the team feels he has shown enough and has nothing left to prove in the Summer League. The primary reason for ending his Summer League participation is to minimize the risk of injury before his rookie NBA season, as he is considered a "day one starter." The NBA also benefits from protecting its new star, as Flagg is anticipated to significantly boost league viewership starting with the regular season.

Flagg will now focus on preparing for his first NBA regular season, which begins on October 21st. The official NBA schedule is expected to be released in August, and there is speculation the Mavericks could feature in a primetime opening night game to capitalize on the interest surrounding Flagg. Fans will have to wait at least three months to see him play in an official game again, with only highlights from his two Summer League performances available until then.