Here’s the advice Dirk Nowitzki gave Cooper Flagg after the brutal loss to the Dallas Grizzlies

In the midst of a 2-7 start to the worst record in the Western Conference, the Hall of Fame forward Dirk Nowitzki had advice for Dallas Mavericks newcomer Cooper Flagg. Without Anthony Davis and Derek Lively II, fans watched as there were no people The Mavericks lose Daniel Gafford in the first half. He exited the game in the first half before Dallas lost its fourth straight game in the NBA Cup 118-104 against the Memphis Grizzlies.

As Amazon Prime analysts discussed the Mavericks’ early season struggles, Nowitzki looked into the camera and spoke directly to Flagg about how to approach it the rest of his regular season, he said, per NBA on Prime.

“I’d just keep working. I know you’ve got a tremendous work ethic. So you work your way through it. You come in the next day. You’re the first one in the gym. You get hit. You get involved with the assistant coach. You watch film and you’re only going to get better,” Nowitzki said. “That’s the bottom line. Lose or not, you try to keep a positive attitude. Every day you reach to get better. You play every position.

“You had a chance to get a game winner the other day, or at least tie the game at the end — that’s great for you — great reps to be in that position. So keep working, my friend. Keep your head up and you’ll be fine.”

“Work through it.”@svish41 gives Cooper Flagg some words of encouragement after the Mavs’ rough start to the season 🤝 pic.twitter.com/NRMnzmkCrO

— NBA on Prime (@NBAonPrime) November 8, 2025

Dirk Nowitzki also reminded Hall of Fame guard Steve Nash of their rookie season, when the Mavericks finished 19-31, the fourth-worst record in the Western Conference in 1998-99. Nash was quick to point out that even then it was hard to imagine what the future would hold for Dallas, as Nowitzki would eventually lead the Mavs to two NBA Finals appearances (2006, 2011) and the franchise’s only championship in 2011.

Cooper Flagg talks about the Mavericks losing streak

Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has dealt with early season hurdleswhich led to a series of losses and dropped them to the bottom of the Western Conference standings. Flagg he didn’t hold back expressing his frustration during the early weeks of his rookie season, he revealed, according to Mavericks reporter Abby Jones.

“For me, that’s the most (I’ve lost), you know, I think ever. So obviously it’s a lot different, and you have to adjust to playing a lot more games,” Flagg said. “But I wouldn’t say anybody’s happy. The guys are obviously trying to stay level and they know we’ve got a lot of games to go and it’s still very early. But I mean, speaking personally, I know it’s not fun just to keep losing games.”

The Mavericks will look to snap a five-game skid when they face the Wizards on Saturday.