UPDATE: In a highly anticipated NBA debut, Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 pick in the draft, faced a challenging start as the Dallas Mavericks suffered a crushing 125-92 defeat against the San Antonio Spurs on October 25, 2023.
Flagg’s first offensive play was a moment of excitement but ended in disappointment. After pushing the ball down the court, he received a lob from Anthony Davis but failed to convert the dunk, foreshadowing a challenging night ahead. Flagg ended the game with a mere 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting and struggled to find his rhythm, going scoreless in the first half.
Despite starting at point guard—an unfamiliar role for the 6-foot-9 rookie—Flagg committed three turnovers and did not record an assist. “Not great,” Flagg assessed after the game. “Obviously, didn’t play incredibly well, but we’ve got to move past it and focus on Friday against the Washington Wizards.”
The game was dominated by Spurs’ standout, Victor Wembanyama, who scored an impressive 40 points, along with 15 rebounds and 3 blocks. Spurs guard Stephon Castle, last season’s Rookie of the Year, contributed significantly with 22 points, showcasing Flagg’s struggles as his primary defender. “He didn’t shoot the ball well, but he seemed a lot more poised than I thought he would be,” Castle noted.
In contrast, Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick also made his debut, scoring 15 points in just 23 minutes off the bench, adding to Flagg’s pressure to perform. Flagg’s first points came only in the second half, as he hit a midrange jumper on the opening possession.
Coach Jason Kidd defended Flagg, stating, “The stat line is not going to say that, but as a rookie, he did fine. He’s going to learn from this game.” Flagg managed to pull down 10 rebounds, making him the fifth Dallas player to record a double-double in his NBA debut, a noteworthy achievement amidst his struggles.
Statistics revealed that the Mavericks scored only 8 points on the 19 possessions Flagg initiated, raising concerns about the team’s offensive flow. Flagg acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “We just got a little stagnant. It’s early, so we got to keep working on that.”
With the Mavericks outscored by 29 points while Flagg was on the court, the rookie’s debut was marked by the worst plus-minus in the game. However, Flagg remains optimistic about his future: “I’m excited to keep going. Obviously, it hurts, the first loss being like that, but I’m just trying to look forward to the next one.”
As the Mavericks prepare for their next game on October 27 against the Washington Wizards, the focus will be on Flagg’s ability to rebound from this rocky start and develop his game in the coming matches. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how he adapts to the pressures of the NBA.