UPDATE: In a thrilling preseason debut, No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg showcased his extraordinary versatility, leading the Dallas Mavericks to a decisive 106-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickies Arena on October 9, 2023. Flagg’s impressive performance included 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and a blocked shot in just 14 minutes of play.
Flagg lit up the court during a sensational stretch in the second quarter, scoring all his points in a rapid-fire two-minute, 38-second flurry. He began with a contested layup, demonstrating his drive by going coast to coast after grabbing a defensive rebound. Following that, Flagg sank a 3-pointer as the pick-and-roll ballhandler, showing confidence and skill. He further added to his tally with a pair of free throws after a foul on a spin move and another 3-pointer off the dribble.
Flagg finished the game shooting 3-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, all without committing a single turnover. “Just taking whatever the defense gives me,” Flagg expressed after the game. “Just keep it simple, making the right play — pass or shot, whatever that is.”
His most electrifying highlight came just 85 seconds into the game when he executed a stunning block on Isaiah Joe’s driving layup, igniting a fast break that culminated in a dunk by Anthony Davis. Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg, stating, “You got to see the defensive side, you got to see the playmaking and then the scoring. He was really, really good.”
The Thunder, last season’s defending champions, did not field any of their regular starters for this back-to-back preseason matchup. They had previously secured a win over the Charlotte Hornets in Charleston, SC, just a day prior.
With Flagg’s promising debut, the Mavericks are eager to harness his multifaceted skill set as they gear up for the regular season. Fans and analysts alike are now focused on how Flagg will continue to develop in the upcoming games.
Stay tuned for more updates on Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks as they prepare for the season ahead!
