The Dallas Mavericks opened their preseason with a 106–89 win over a watered-down version of the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder, who rested their stars, but the night belonged to rookie forward Cooper Flagg.
The 2025 No. 1 overall pick made his long-awaited debut, starting at small forward and giving the Mavericks a glimpse of what their post–Luka Dončić future could look like. In 14 minutes, the 18-year-old finished with 10 points, six rebounds, three assists, and one block, hitting two of his three 3-point attempts and both free throws.
What Is Jason Kidd’s Assessment of Cooper Flagg’s Preseason Debut?
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was impressed by what he saw from the top pick.
“He was great,” Kidd said after the game, as per Mavs beat writer Mike Curtis. “Cooper did an incredible job for us. He’s been doing this since training camp started in Vancouver. You got to see the defensive side, the playmaking, and the scoring ability. He was really, really good tonight.”
Flagg looked composed from the opening tip. His first defensive possession ended with a block near the rim, and he showed patience on offense, moving the ball and taking open shots. For a player who only played a single college basketball season, he looked comfortable within the Mavericks’ system.
Dallas started a full-strength lineup — Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, Dereck Lively II, and Flagg — while Kyrie Irving and Daniel Gafford sat out. Kidd’s rotations suggested he is serious about giving Flagg a key role early, likely at the small forward position alongside two traditional bigs.
The Mavericks’ starters did not return for the second half, but the message was clear: Flagg is a big part of the plan.
How Cooper Flagg Adjusted to Jason Kidd’s System
For someone who came up in a fast-paced, small-ball environment, the adjustment to playing next to Davis and Lively was noticeable. Still, Flagg handled it with maturity. His spacing and awareness created passing lanes, and his three assists tied for second-most on the team.
“That’s a fun brand of basketball to play when the ball’s moving around,” Flagg said afterward. “It was fun.”
Flagg’s game has always been defined by versatility. At Duke, he showed the ability to defend multiple positions, create for teammates, and score when needed. That balance was visible again in his first NBA appearance.
Before the preseason, Kidd had said he wanted Flagg to get comfortable handling the ball and making reads. While he wasn’t a primary initiator against the Thunder, he stayed poised when he did handle it and rarely forced a play.
The Mavericks are in a transition period after the Dončić trade to the Lakers, and how quickly Flagg adapts could determine how smooth that process is. For now, he looks ready to take on whatever role the coaching staff gives him.
The Mavericks will face the Charlotte Hornets in their next preseason game on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Kidd hinted that rotations could expand. After one outing, Dallas has every reason to be encouraged by its No. 1 pick.
