The Dallas Mavericks entered the 2025-26 season with championship aspirations, but after six games, they are sitting on a disappointing 2-4 record. A significant part of their early struggles has been the lack of a true point guard, a problem that asking No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg to be the primary playmaker has not solved.
While the rookie has shown flashes of electric play, the hype has not yet translated to consistent performance, though he is not letting it affect his confidence.
How Is Cooper Flagg Handling His Early Struggles?
Following the Mavericks’ 122-110 loss to the Detroit Pistons in Mexico City, the Duke product admitted that the transition to the pros has not been as smooth as he would have liked. However, he remains confident in his ability to improve over time.
“It’s a tough league. It’s a transition. I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient I would’ve wanted to, but I’m gonna keep trusting the work. It’s nothing I think they should be worried about. I’m not worried about anything,” Flagg said, per Mike Curtis of The Dallas Morning News.
Cooper Flagg on those concerned about his play through 6 games:
“It’s a tough league. It’s a transition. I haven’t made a lot of shots or been as efficient I would’ve wanted to, but I’m gonna keep trusting the work. It’s nothing I think they should be worried about. I’m not… pic.twitter.com/aMQicbYt5t
— Mike Curtis (@MikeACurtis2) November 2, 2025
Against the Pistons, Flagg finished the game with 16 points on 3-of-14 shooting, adding eight rebounds, four assists, two three-pointers, and one steal. Through six games, he is averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and one three-pointer per game on 37/28/100 shooting splits.
Of course, growing pains are expected for any first-year player. Even when his shot isn’t falling, Flagg has already shown that he can fill up the stat sheet and contribute in other ways.
Why Is the Situation More Complicated Than It Looks?
The Mavericks need to exercise patience with their prized rookie, allowing him to grow through his mistakes. A key part of that development will involve putting him in positions that play to his strengths, which means taking the ball out of his hands as the primary initiator.
While Flagg is a more than capable and willing passer with a high basketball IQ, he is not a natural point forward. That playmaking role is not what made him the consensus No. 1 pick in the first place.
Additionally, it is worth noting that external factors have magnified his struggles. With Anthony Davis out due to injury, opposing defenses have been able to shift their focus almost entirely onto Flagg in the past couple of games. This increased attention has clearly taken a toll on his efficiency.
Ultimately, Flagg is a special talent who projects to be the face of the franchise for years to come. It is far too early to sound any alarms. As he gets more reps and playing time in his proper role, he will likely start looking more like the dominant player he was in college.