Cooper Flagg, Mavs fall to Dylan Harper, Spurs in summer league look at NBA's future stars

New York Times

a day ago

LAS VEGAS — Midway through the third quarter in front of a sellout crowd at Thomas & Mack Center, Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg gave the fans a gift worth the lofty price of admission, leaping like a gazelle from the free-throw line to power home an emphatic two-handed dunk.
The vitality of the transition sequence, with Flagg having the time and space to showcase his power and athleticism, was significant given the nature of the game. For nearly two hours on Saturday afternoon, every move the No. 1 pick made was met with a sea of hands, San Antonio Spurs defenders draped all over him, attempting to disrupt his vision and rhythm.
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Such is the warranted attention that comes with being one of the most highly touted top picks to enter the NBA in years. Flagg's combination of size, strength, ballhandling ability and two-way responsibility draws ample attention as a summer league star. It should translate to his upcoming rookie season in Dallas, regardless of his production this month.
'We're looking at being unselfish, playing hard and playing the game the right way,' Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd told The Athletic. 'When you talk about stock, we're looking at those things. We're not worried about makes and misses. Just making the right play.'
C😤😤P pic.twitter.com/PUNcZ9kgJb
— Dallas Mavericks (@dallasmavs) July 12, 2025
In his second game, Flagg finished with 31 points and four rebounds on 10-for-21 shooting from the field in a 76-69 loss to San Antonio. Dylan Harper, the No. 2 pick in last month's NBA Draft, added 16 points, six rebounds and two assists in the highly anticipated matchup of the weekend that did not disappoint. Flagg and Harper were aggressive and potent, putting their full breadth of skills on display in each phase of the game.
'We're going to play (Flagg) a lot this year, so the future battles are going to be great,' Harper said. 'I think me and him, one thing we both got that the rest of the (draft) class don't got is that we're competitors and go out and compete.'
There were a few moments when the two players squared off and a series of physical possessions were highlighted, like Flagg responding with a deep 3 after a nifty Harper layup. Both players checked out of the game with a little under two minutes remaining to a standing ovation.
'It's good,' Ace Bailey told The Athletic of the matchup. 'The one and two going at it, and they're both playing hard. They came out to prove to everybody what they've been working on. We got a big role to play when we come in the league, so the crowd is bringing the energy and hype.'
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Flagg, who stands nearly 6 feet 8 with a 7-foot wingspan, should fit in seamlessly with a big Mavericks frontline of Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford and Dereck Lively II. Spurs rookie Carter Bryant was tasked with the matchup and enjoyed success with it, picking him up at full court repeatedly. Still, Flagg was able to create downhill pressure consistently, either by operating as a secondary creator in pick-and-roll scenarios or drawing contact and getting to the line. Flagg attempted 13 free throws, and his ability to force fouls will aid his transition to the NBA, just by the sheer nature of his size.
'Oh, he's gonna fit right in,' Kidd said. 'He's gonna be fine. He'll be perfect.'
'He's big,' Mavericks minority owner Mark Cuban told The Athletic. 'People don't realize that. And he's not just tall; he's thick. And he's only 18 — he can still be growing and could end up being 7 feet tall for all we know. But he's not some skinny, wiry guy. He's physical, athletic. Might not be the quickest guy in the NBA, but for his size, he's going to be up there in that combination.'
Harper came alive in the second quarter as his defense began to make an imprint on the game. The point guard got deflections, pressuring the ball in transition and flying above the rim as his energy on that end began to fuel his aggressiveness with the ball. He had his best sequence late in the first half when he skied for a block with a huge smile, then soon picked up Flagg on a switch and went right at the man selected before him for an and-1 floater.
smoooth with it @dy1anharper 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/K20lBesqdN
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) July 12, 2025
It meant a lot for Harper, who missed the Spurs' summer league games with a groin strain until Saturday. After months without playing basketball since his Rutgers season in mid-March, Harper was excited to be back out there on top of his game.
'I ain't played in a while, so I was just itching to get back up on that court,' Harper said. 'I get to play basketball for a living now. I was probably smiling the whole game.'
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The guard's pace control attacking the lane allowed him to get into the paint effectively, drawing some fouls and hitting some floaters. He mixed in some point guard and off-ball roles, showing an ability to cut from the elbows and get easy looks.
His defense did cost him early in the fourth quarter when he picked off a pass to trigger a fast break. When he leaped to throw down the dunk, he was hammered by a Mavs defender and crashed to the ground. It was a scary sight for the Spurs' new franchise guard as he grabbed his forehead, but he shook it off after a few seconds and carried on.
Despite the Mavericks' loss, the afternoon's biggest takeaway was Flagg's quality and star potential. The 18-year-old operated in the half court with the poise of a tenured veteran, absorbing pressure and creating offense for himself and others. His ability to play on and off the ball, toggling between being a primary and secondary ballhandler, should suit him well playing alongside new addition D'Angelo Russell — especially while starting point guard Kyrie Irving continues to rehab from ACL surgery.
'I think I've been solid. I'm exhausted,' Flagg said. 'I'm not used to bringing the ball up like that. Had somebody on my hip every time I brought the ball up the court 94 feet. I think I did a solid job of bringing it up against pressure and setting up different actions.'
Defensively, Flagg should also be a welcome addition to a Mavericks team that finished 20th in defensive efficiency last season, according to Cleaning the Glass. Dallas' coaching staff was comfortable with Flagg switching onto multiple assignments and operating at the top and bottom of the zone, utilizing his ability to play in passing lanes. Harper made his defense felt as well in his return to the floor, showing how the league is in for some exciting two-way battles this season between these young stars in Texas.
'What better time than to come back for a game like this and a crowd as electrifying as this?' Harper said. 'He had a good game; I had a good game. We just showed the NBA world what we're about.'