Mavericks Make Controversial Cooper Flagg Decision After Spurs Game
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Cooper Flagg had a decent debut for the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Summer League, logging 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block in 32 minutes of work in an 87-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday.
Two days later though, Flagg put forth a dominating performance that caught the attention of many.
In Dallas' 76-69 loss to the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 overall pick Dylan Haprer on Saturday, Flagg scored a game-high 31 points along with four rebounds, an assist, and a block in 31 minutes — a game many believe signaled he's ready to take on the NBA.
Apparently the Mavericks front office feels the same way after the team made a controversial decision about the future of their No. 1 overall pick.
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According to Marc Stein of the Stein Line, the Mavericks have decided to shut Flagg down for the rest of the Summer League, which runs through July 20.
"I have confirmed this was Cooper Flagg's last appearance in the Summer League," Stein reported. "He is not scheduled to play Monday — goes out with a monster 31 points.
Cooper Flagg, as first reported by our very own @TheSteinLine on Saturday's show from @WestgateVegas, will be shut down for the remainder of Mavericks Summer League after scoring 31 points on Saturday against the Spurs #MFFL pic.twitter.com/9ZATMj56Q4 — DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) July 13, 2025
Dallas' decision seemed to frustrate a large segment of its fanbase, many of whom took to social media to air their grievances.
"Having a developing player play less ball makes sense," one fan wrote.
"Unless they hiding an injury this makes zero sense," another fan replied.
"Like genuinely why? taking away much needed game reps for your rookie will forever make 0 sense to me," a third fan asked.
"He went 5/21 his first game with two airballs and 10 points, then has a 10/20 game and all of a sudden he's proven a point. Kid is playing against rookies and G league players and now one game proved himself? Wowwwww good luck then starting in the NBA 😂😂," one user quipped.
"Holy L," another user scoffed.
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Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Nathan Mensah #31 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on...
Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against Nathan Mensah #31 of the San Antonio Spurs in the second half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 12, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. MoreAfter hitting just 5 of his 21 field-goal attempts and missing all five of his 3-point attempts in his first game, Flagg showed a significant improvement in Game 2, connecting on 10 of 21 field goals and 3 of 9 3-pointers.
Flagg admitted to reporters after the game that he knew he had some flaws to work out after playing the Lakers.
"I think it's a new environment, new setting," Flagg said after Saturday's loss, via ESPN. "They want to see me be aggressive and do that type of stuff.
"I think I did that a lot better today, just getting to the line, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfortable and get settled in early. Still missed a bunch of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn't very happy with that."
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