Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg reveals an aggressive mindset shift after a scoreless first half

ByNBAUSA



Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Nobody needed Cooper Flagg to tell him that his first half was difficult; he knew it as soon as he entered the locker room. After going scoreless in the first two quarters of his NBA debut, the 18-year-old admitted that made a conscious decision to come out with a new way of thinking in the second half.

“I just wanted to be more aggressive,” Flagg said after the Mavericks’ 125-92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

That change in mentality paid off. Flagg scored all 10 of his points in the second half, finishing with a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double in his long-awaited debut. Although he shot just 4-of-13 from the field and committed three turnovers, the rookie showed the versatility that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

Starting at point guard, a position he had never played before joining Dallas, Flagg’s adjustment curve was evident early on. He struggled with San Antonio’s defensive pressure, especially from reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, who hounded him at every opportunity. But as the game wore on, Flagg looked more comfortable initiating the offense, driving with purpose and attacking mismatches.

Opposite him, Victor Wembanyama dominated with 40 points, 15 rebounds and 3 blocks, serving as a reminder of the leap Dallas hopes Flagg will make in the coming years. Still, Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd praised the rookie’s response after a rough start.

“He didn’t hang his head,” Kidd said. “He came out in the second half, stayed aggressive and found ways to impact the game. That’s all you can ask for from a young player in his first outing.”

Flegg’s first NBA game wasn’t perfect, but his willingness to adapt and his determination to remain aggressive provided insight into why the Mavericks are so confident in his long-term potential.





2025-10-23 11:51:00

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