Las Vegas, July 13, 2025 – Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, emphatically answered any lingering questions about his potential Saturday, scoring 31 points in 31 minutes for the Dallas Mavericks against the San Antonio Spurs. This performance, a stark contrast to his summer league debut, showcased why many consider him a generational talent.
Flagg’s Explosive Performance Silences Doubts
The Mavericks’ top pick delivered a dominant showing, scoring nearly half of his team’s total points.
Flagg’s 31 points led all scorers in a 76-69 loss to the Spurs. He shot 10-for-21 from the field and demonstrated a newfound aggression, driving to the basket and earning trips to the free-throw line, where he went 8-for-13 after only attempting one free throw in his first outing. He also knocked down 3 of his 9 three-point attempts – the first three-pointers of his professional career.
| Points | FG | 3PT | FT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debut vs. Lakers | 10 | 5-21 | 0-5 | 0-1 |
| Saturday vs. Spurs | 31 | 10-21 | 3-9 | 8-13 |
Harper Also Impresses in Debut
No. 2 overall pick Dylan Harper also made a strong first impression, scoring 16 points in just under 20 minutes of playing time. Harper, sidelined by a groin injury for the Spurs’ opener, displayed the poise and skill that made him a highly sought-after prospect. He shot 5-for-12 from the field and added six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and a block, going 6-for-7 at the free-throw line.
“I think I came out great, just trying to get my guys involved, just trying to play the right way and just ultimately come out here and win, and that’s what we did today,” Harper said after the game. “So, I had a good day.”
Flagg and Harper are leading a promising draft class that includes VJ Edgecombe, Ace Bailey, and Kon Knueppel. Carter Bryant, Harper’s teammate selected No. 14 overall by the Spurs, also stood out on the defensive end during Saturday’s contest.
This matchup between Flagg and Harper is anticipated to be the first of many competitive battles as both players continue to develop. “Definitely great competition. I mean, the whole [draft] class, we’re a bunch of competitors,” Harper said. “He had a good game, I had a good game. I think overall, we just showcased what we could do to the whole basketball world.”
