"I didn't play...": Discreet debut by Cooper Flagg against an unstoppable Wembanyama

It was the highly anticipated debut of Cooper Flagg in the NBA, the number one pick in the most anticipated draft since LeBron James. However, the young talent's first night with the Dallas Mavericks did not live up to expectations. Instead of a brilliant debut, the team suffered a tough 125-92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, in a game where Flagg barely showed flashes of his potential and was overwhelmed by Victor Wembanyama.

Flagg went scoreless in the first half and ended with just 10 points on 4 of 13 shooting, along with 10 rebounds, three turnovers, and no assists, in the 125-92 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He played as a starting point guard, a new position for him, and admitted afterwards to his lackluster performance: "It wasn't good. I didn't play particularly well, but we have to turn the page and focus on the next game," he said calmly.

The night was completely dominated by Wembanyama, the number one pick of the 2023 draft, who recorded 40 points, 15 rebounds, and 3 blocks. Alongside him, Stephon Castle, the previous Rookie of the Year, shined with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, in addition to suffocating defense against Flagg. "He didn't shoot well, but he seemed calm," Castle assessed. "I was nervous in my debut, and he didn’t seem to be. I think he'll have a great season."

The rookie Dylan Harper, also chosen just after Flagg in the draft, seized his opportunity better with 15 points in 23 minutes coming off the bench. Flagg, on the other hand, didn't see the hoop until a mid-range shot at the beginning of the third quarter.

“It’s his first game; he's still a rookie,” commented Anthony Davis, Dallas' top scorer with 22 points. “In the preseason, everything is different, but when the first real game comes, with the stadium full and the TV cameras… it's normal to be nervous. Everyone was talking about the showdown between him and Wemby. Maybe it affected him a little, but he'll be fine.”

Despite the poor result, Flagg became the fifth Dallas player to achieve a double-double in his debut, a feat also accomplished by his coach, Jason Kidd. “He played well, even though the stats don't show it," Kidd pointed out. "Nobody here is in their place. He's young, he learned a lot tonight, and he'll do better in the next game."

According to ESPN data, the Mavericks only scored eight points on the 19 possessions where Flagg brought up the ball. The team is using him as a point guard in a big lineup—with Klay Thompson as the shortest player at 1.98 meters—and the idea is to distribute playmaking duties among Davis, P.J. Washington, and Flagg himself. "We got a little stuck," the rookie admitted. "It's early; we need to keep working on the pace and flow of the game."

Improved Second Half for Flagg

Flagg attempted only two shots in the first half but was more aggressive after halftime, hitting four of his eleven shots in the third quarter, although San Antonio then extended their lead. "He played within the system," Kidd praised. "He took what the defense gave him, fought for every ball, tried to do the right thing. He's not someone who shoots every time he touches the ball. I liked his attitude."

The Mavericks finished with a -29 when Flagg was on the court, the worst rating in the game. However, the 18-year-old remained optimistic: “I'm excited for what's to come. It hurts to start with a defeat like this, but we have to look ahead. Stay positive and prepared. We know we need to improve, and we will."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, "No jugué...": Discreto debut de Cooper Flagg ante un imparable Wembanyama