Get ready, basketball fans! The NBA has just made a major announcement that is set to ignite the 2K26 Summer League: a blockbuster matchup between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, featuring highly anticipated rookie Cooper Flagg and second-year guard Bronny James.
This must-see game will tip off on Thursday, July 10th, at 8 PM ET on ESPN.
Cooper Flagg and Bronny James’ Stats Headed Into This Must-See Matchup
All eyes will be on Cooper Flagg, the generational talent who was just selected first overall by the Mavericks. Flagg’s freshman season at Duke was nothing short of spectacular, solidifying his status as a can’t-miss prospect. He averaged an impressive 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game over 37 contests, shooting 48.1% from the field and 38.5% from three-point range.
His versatility and impact on both ends of the floor made him a collegiate sensation, and now he looks to translate that dominance to the NBA.
📢 #NBA Programming Update:
July 10, @ESPNNBA will present an @NBASummerLeague doubleheader ft. the Mavericks debut of @Cooper_Flagg against the Lakers & Bronny James⁰
🏀 8p ET | @dallasmavs vs @Lakers
🏀 10p ET | @spurs vs @sixers pic.twitter.com/XwQ1lbCoUv— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) June 27, 2025
Across the court will be Bronny James, arguably the most famous second-round pick drafted and the eldest son of his teammate, LeBron James. Entering his second year in the league, James is looking to build on his initial experiences. In his limited time with the Lakers last season, James averaged 2.3 points, 0.7 rebounds, and 0.8 assists in 27 games.
However, his time in the G-League with the South Bay Lakers saw him take on a much larger role, where he averaged 21.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.4 assists in 11 games, showcasing flashes of the playmaking and scoring ability that made him a touted prospect, even if his early NBA numbers don’t fully reflect it.
Flagg and James Have Two Different Career Trajectories
The career paths of Flagg and James could not be further apart right now. For Flagg, he is joining a Mavericks team that is already loaded with Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and Klay Thompson. Dallas is in a win-now mode and is only operating with a championship mindset.
Furthermore, Flagg has the weight of a franchise on his young shoulders and must fill the shoes of Luka Dončić, who was shockingly traded to the Lakers back in February. Flagg has no time for rookie slumps or bad habits because it may hurt the Mavericks’ chances at winning a championship.
James expects to prove to the GM Rob Pelinka, Coach JJ Redick, and the rest of the Lakers organization that he deserves minutes on a team also vying for a championship. This Los Angeles team is loaded with superstar talent, with the likes of LeBron and Dončić, and needs dynamic guard play off the bench. This is a prime opportunity for James to showcase his talents and prove he can handle a larger role on the Lakers’ second unit.
Don’t miss this marquee event as two of the most talked-about young players in the league go head-to-head in what promises to be an electrifying start to the Summer League.
