LAS VEGAS — No. 1 decide Cooper Flagg managed to make a very powerful play in what he described as “one of many worst video games of my life.”
Flagg swooped in from the weak aspect to swat away Los Angeles Lakers guard DJ Steward’s driving layup try with 1:10 remaining in Thursday evening’s NBA 2K26 Summer time League opener. Flagg then pushed the ball down the ground in transition, drew three defenders as he approached the paint and located teammate Ryan Nembhard vast open for a 3-pointer that gave the Dallas Mavericks the lead for good in an 87-85 win.
Flagg’s capturing struggles (5-of-21 from the ground, 0-of-5 from 3-point vary) stand out within the field rating, however his coaches take into account the defensive cease and help to be the defining second of the sport, a sequence that encapsulated Flagg’s aggressive character and all-around affect.
“That is what he does,” stated Mavs assistant Josh Broghamer, the staff’s summer time league head coach. “He makes successful performs, whether or not it is offense or protection. I feel that is as marketed. So whether or not it is the precise move or it is a defensive possession or scoring the ball, that is what he does.”
Dallas coach Jason Kidd directed that Flagg regularly be used as a degree guard throughout summer time league, difficult the 6-foot-8, 220-pound ahead to broaden his recreation as a main facilitator. The Lakers appeared decided to make Flagg as uncomfortable in his new position as doable, trapping him at half courtroom the primary time he touched the ball and defending him bodily all through the evening.
“I believed that was out of respect,” Kidd instructed ESPN’s Malika Andrews at halftime, referring to the double-team on the opening possession. “When you may have somebody like Cooper, who can deal with, who can shoot, who can move, you need the ball in his palms. He is an excellent decision-maker. He did that at Duke. He did that at highschool. He will have some errors. All of us did. All of us threw it within the stands from time to time. However I feel simply his poise as an 18-year-old is unbelievable.”
Flagg, who completed with 10 factors, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and the block, displayed his means to deal with the ball and move throughout his summer time league debut. He could not discover a rhythm as a shooter, making solely 2 of his 17 makes an attempt outdoors of the restricted space, and admitted that it felt odd to launch so many jumpers.
“The coaches have a number of confidence in me,” Flagg stated. “They have been telling me they need me to experiment, attempt some new issues. I used to be attempting to be aggressive. That is new for me, too.
“I might say that could be one of many worst video games of my life. We acquired the win, so that is what actually issues to me.”
Flagg particularly struggled in half-court units, as all however one in every of his buckets got here in transition. The exception was a troublesome midrange turnaround over Bronny James, which occurred instantly after James was known as for a foul after poking the ball away from Flagg on a post-up, a name booed by the Thomas & Mack Heart crowd that buzzed each time the highest decide and the second-year Laker engaged in a person matchup.
“He is acquired like a half a foot on me, so I am simply attempting to face my floor,” James stated. “I acquired to face my floor down there and ensure I am not getting bullied wherever on the courtroom. … He is nice. I imply, I watched him all in school and he is an incredible participant. I’ve the utmost respect for him. He will be one thing particular.”
Flagg wowed the gang on a number of events with spectacular performs in transition, displaying his mix of athleticism and ballhandling means.
His first basket was a tomahawk dunk in visitors halfway by way of the primary quarter, ending a quick break that he began with a steal. He pushed the ball once more the following possession, pulling up for a baseline fadeaway over 2024 first-round decide Dalton Knecht. Flagg additionally had an and-1 layup after receiving a look-ahead move and a fairly end over former first-round decide Darius Bazley after going coast-to-coast.
Flagg, who averaged 19.2 factors on 48.1% capturing throughout his lone season at Duke, acknowledged some frustration along with his incapability to attain out of half-court units Thursday however added that he wasn’t apprehensive about it.
“Photographs weren’t falling, however that is going to occur,” Flagg stated. “It’ll be nights like that. It’s considerably new to me. I have not most likely taken that many photographs earlier than, in order that’s considerably new. I will try to determine it out. However new expertise, so I am excited to maintain enjoying and transfer ahead.”