No 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg makes his NBA debut in star-studded battle against Lakers’ Bronny James in Vegas

No 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg makes his NBA debut in star-studded battle against Lakers' Bronny James in Vegas

NBA fans were given their first look at Cooper Flagg as a Dallas Maverick on Thursday night, as he took on Bronny James in their Summer League game.

Flagg became the first white American to be taken first-overall in the NBA draft in 48 years after being selected by the Mavericks last month. 

It was hardly shocking that the Mavericks made this move after Flagg’s impressive college displays saw him named National Player of the Year.

With that in mind, NBA fans were keen to see how Flagg will perform for the Mavericks and they got their first taste of that as he took on the Lakers in Las Vegas. 

Flagg was named in the starting five for the Mavericks, while Bronny James also started for the Lakers, in a match up that had NBA fans salivating. 

And, while most fans were eager to see Flagg take control of proceedings, it was James who struck first as he made the first bucket of the night with a smooth step-back over his Maverick counterpart. 

Cooper Flagg made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night Flagg was the No.1 pick of the 2025 NBA Draft

Cooper Flagg made his debut for the Dallas Mavericks in the Summer League on Thursday

Flagg came up against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James in his first outing for Dallas

Flagg came up against the Los Angeles Lakers and Bronny James in his first outing for Dallas

Flagg, on the other hand, missed his first two attempts of the game before James then added a 3-pointer to his tally for the night. 

Shortly afterwards, however, Flagg showed his worth as he drove to the bucket and pulled off a stunning dunk – much to the delight of the Dallas fans in attendance. 

The young talents battled away throughout the night and, in the second quarter, Bronny appeared to get the better of Flagg with some impressive defensive work. 

Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, was regarded as one of the clearest-cut first-overall pick since Victor Wembanyama and the most obvious American first-overall pick since fellow Duke star Zion Williamson in 2019.

Unfortunately for Flagg, he missed Duke’s final sH๏τ of the game to blow a mᴀssive lead to Houston and failed to advance to the national тιтle game. 

Months after that loss, the Mavericks won the lottery under dubious circumstances – with many conspiracy theories popping up after Dallas was victorious despite a 1.8 percent chance of taking the top pick.

His arrival gives new hope to a Mavericks team and fanbase still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade back in February.

James and Flagg battle for a loose ball after some impressive work from the Lakers star

James and Flagg battle for a loose ball after some impressive work from the Lakers star 

Flagg produced a stunning dunk in the first quarter, much to the delight of Dallas fans

Flagg produced a stunning dunk in the first quarter, much to the delight of Dallas fans

Flagg became the first white American player taken first in the NBA Draft in 48 years

Flagg became the first white American player taken first in the NBA Draft in 48 years

Kyrie loving what he’s seeing from Cooper Flagg 👏 pic.twitter.com/NSlAVANrQ4

— ESPN (@espn) July 11, 2025

Losing Doncic led to the Mavs missing out of the playoffs and many Dallas fans calling for Harrison to be fired.

Now, Flagg will form an elite trio with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis. 

Irving – along with PJ Washington – was spotted in attendance on the night as they Maverick stars offered their support to new teammate Flagg. 

However, Irving’s long-term future with the team remains up in the air as he’s in talks with the team on a contract extension. 

Related Posts

LeBron James sparks fan frenzy over trade speculation with key detail in fiery Instagram post

LeBron James sparks fan frenzy over trade speculation with key detail in fiery Instagram post

LeBron James did little to dampen the speculation over his future with a social media post that sent some NBA fans into meltdown. The basketball legend, 40, confirmed…

Smitten Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson enjoy romantic fishing date as NBA star gushes over his ‘queen’

Smitten Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson enjoy romantic fishing date as NBA star gushes over his ‘queen’

Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson have continued their offseason adventures by going on a romantic fishing date together. The new couple first sparked romance rumors earlier this…

NBA legend pokes fun at his arrest for illegal gambling in bizarre video after being released from jail on k bond

NBA legend pokes fun at his arrest for illegal gambling in bizarre video after being released from jail on $50k bond

Former Washington Wizards star Gilbert Arenas has poked fun at his arrest for allegedly running an illegal gambling operation after sharing a video on social media. The case against…

Marcus Morris Sr’s brother and agent slam NBA star’s ‘insane’ arrest and reveal ‘real’ reasons he was detained

Marcus Morris Sr’s brother and agent slam NBA star’s ‘insane’ arrest and reveal ‘real’ reasons he was detained

The twin brother of NBA free agent Marcus Morris Sr. and the player’s agent are disputing the reason for his shocking arrest in Florida on Sunday. Morris was…

Bronny James should NOT head to the NBA this year and instead needs another year in college before he is ready, ex-NBA star Byron Scott claims – after LeBron’s son declared for Draft

Bronny James should NOT head to the NBA this year and instead needs another year in college before he is ready, ex-NBA star Byron Scott claims – after LeBron’s son declared for Draft

Most watched Sport videos With Bronny James now entering the transfer portal and declaring for the NBA Draft, a number of former league executives and coaches have…

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the NBA star he ‘f***ing hates’

Shaquille O’Neal reveals the NBA star he ‘f***ing hates’

Shaquille O’Neal has reignited his long-running feud with Rudy Gobert after admitting he ‘f***ing hates’ the Minnesota Timberwolves star. O’Neal and Gobert are not the best of…