UPDATE: In a highly anticipated NBA debut, No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg faced a rocky start for the Dallas Mavericks, who suffered a crushing 125-92 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs on October 25, 2023. Flagg, starting at point guard for the first time, struggled to make an impact, finishing with just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
The game kicked off with promise as Flagg showcased his potential during the Mavericks’ first offensive possession. He connected with Anthony Davis for a lob pass, but failed to complete the dunk, a moment that set the tone for a challenging night ahead. Flagg went scoreless in the first half, marking a disappointing debut in front of a sellout crowd at the American Airlines Center.
“I assessed my performance as ‘Not great,'” Flagg admitted post-game. “Obviously, didn’t play incredibly well, but we’ve got to move past it and focus on Friday against the Washington Wizards.”
While Flagg’s performance faltered, the Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama, the first overall pick in the 2023 draft, shone brightly, scoring an impressive 40 points with 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. His teammate, Stephon Castle, added 22 points and was instrumental in defending Flagg throughout the game.
Despite his struggles, Flagg did manage to grab 10 rebounds, becoming the fifth player in Mavericks history to achieve a double-double in his NBA debut. Jason Kidd, Mavericks coach, noted, “The stat line may not reflect it, but he played well for a rookie. He’ll learn and improve from this experience.”
The Mavericks’ offense was stagnant, scoring just 8 points on 19 possessions led by Flagg, who expressed the need for better team flow going forward. “We just got a little stagnant. It’s early, so we need to work on that,” he said.
Flagg’s performance drew mixed reviews. While he struggled to find his rhythm, he showed moments of promise and composure. “He didn’t shoot well, but he seemed much more poised than I expected,” Castle remarked.
With a quick turnaround, the Mavericks will look to bounce back against the Wizards on Friday. Flagg remains optimistic, stating, “I’m excited to keep going. It hurts to lose like that, but I’m staying positive and locked in for the next game.”
As the Mavericks aim to correct their course, all eyes will be on Flagg to see if he can translate his potential into performance in the upcoming match.
