Anthony Davis Cooper Flagg reminder after inconsistent debut

DALLAS — All eyes were on Cooper Flagg on Wednesday night as Dallas The Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick in 2025 debuted in the NBA. Expectations were high for Flaggbut he endured an up-and-down game. He ended up scoring 10 points on 4-13 shooting from the field, along with 10 rebounds and a steal as the Mavs were defeated 125-92 by the San Antonio Spurs. He will surely perform better, but he could have secured a double-double.

Anthony Davis isn’t worried about Flagg despite the rookie’s inconsistent debut. He reminded everyone that it was just the “first game” as he spoke to reporters after the loss.

“The first game, I mean, he’s still a rookie,” Davis said of Flagg. “I went in the same way. Pre-season is obviously good, but when that game comes, a packed stadium, a nationally televised game… I’m not sure if he’s a social media guy or not, but it was all ‘Cooper Flagg’s number one choice, Wembley match’ and all that stuff.

“So you start to hear, I’m not sure if he likes it. But the first game is shaking when it’s time for the real thing, so it’s going to be good.”

Cooper Flagg’s NBA debut doesn’t go according to plan

Flagg started the game slowly, going just 0-2 from the field en route to a scoreless first half. He found other ways to contribute — he grabbed six rebounds — but Flegg’s first half didn’t quite live up to expectations. However, Flagg wasted no time in the second half, scoring his first NBA points on a mid-range jumper in the first minute of the third quarter.

Here it is! Cooper Flagg finds the bottom of the net to start the second half for his first NBA points pic.twitter.com/0ioVVLas0d

— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) October 23, 2025

He was much more aggressive in the second half. As mentioned, Flagg was able to finish the game with a double-double. It wasn’t a bad debut, but Flagg expects to play at a much higher level moving forward.

Flagg said he tried to be “more aggressive” in the third quarter.

Cooper Flagg says he was trying to be “more aggressive” in the third quarter after a scoreless first half. pic.twitter.com/rvU1ICTVes

— Joey Mistretta (@JoeyMistretta_) October 23, 2025

“I’m just trying to be a little more aggressive,” Flagg said of his approach in the second half. “I’m trying to assert myself a little bit, but, you know, I’m just trying to take what was there.”

For Spurs, Victor Vembanyama was unstoppable. The No. 1 overall pick in 2023 had 40 points and 15 rebounds to lead San Antonio.

The game was billed as Vembanjama vs. Flag — but that was always unfair. Vembanyama is three years older and has two seasons of NBA experience. Meanwhile, Flagg hadn’t even played in a regular season contest before Wednesday’s affair.

It is important to remember that Cooper Flagg is only 18 years old. One should not overreact to one game. Flegg’s ceiling remains extremely high and he has a legitimate chance to become an NBA superstar.

The Mavericks’ next game is Friday night at the American Airlines Center against the Washington Wizards. The contest marks the second of a five-game homestand to begin the 2025-26 NBA season for this Mavs team.