The Dallas Mavericks squared off against the San Antonio Spurs in the 2K26 NBA Summer League, with the spotlight firmly on the debut of No. 1 overall draft pick Cooper Flagg. Despite Flagg’s standout performance, the Mavericks came up short, falling 76–69 to the Spurs in a highly anticipated matchup.
Flagg finished with 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting from the field, including 3-of-9 from three-point range. He also contributed four rebounds and one assist. However, the rookie struggled from the free throw line, hitting just 8-of-13, and addressed it with a bit of humor after the game.
“Just trusting all the work,” Flagg said postgame. “Taking a lot of the same shots I took last game… I got to the line a little bit better today, still missed a bunch of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn’t very happy with that. Just trying to get to the free throw line, get some stuff early, get to the rim. I just trusted all the work.”
“You know, those are the same shots. There’s nothing different. I know what I can do,” Flagg added. While his mother might not be thrilled with the free throw numbers, she undoubtedly took pride in her son’s overall performance, which showcased the skill set that made him the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
The game also featured the highly anticipated battle between Flagg and Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ No. 2 overall selection. Harper tallied 16 points and helped San Antonio secure the win, but Flagg clearly stood out from an individual performance standpoint.
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Flagg’s effort silenced early critics who were quick to overreact after his underwhelming debut earlier in the week. His composure, scoring touch, and aggressiveness were on full display throughout the contest.
Both Flagg and Harper have already shown why they were taken atop the draft, and their trajectories will be closely watched throughout the upcoming NBA season. For Flagg in particular, the 31-point outing was a statement performance that raised expectations across the Mavericks’ fanbase.
If this Summer League showcase was any indication, Dallas may have landed a true cornerstone player. While there’s still a long way to go, Flagg’s raw talent and early poise suggest he’s ready to compete at the highest level sooner rather than later.
