LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks is guarded by Bronny James #9 … More
Opening day of the NBA’s Las Vegas Summer League featured a marquee primetime matchup between well-known young players when the Dallas Mavericks clashed against the Los Angeles Lakers at UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center.
For the Mavericks, it was the first NBA-esque game for their recently selected number one pick, Cooper Flagg. The 2025 Naismith Player of the Year was met with an array of curious cheers from fans who spent an average of $223 in ticket prices to see Flagg face up against second-year player Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The matchup between Flagg and Bronny was somewhat underwhelming, with both players combining for 18 points on 7 from 29 shooting. However, here are three positive takeaways from the down-to-the-wire 87-85 Mavericks victory.
Flagg Looks The Part Despite Shooting Woes
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks drives against DaJuan Gordon … More
While it can be somewhat challenging to see optimism in a 5 for 21 shooting performance from a basketball player, Cooper Flagg looked the part in his debut performance. At his 6-foot-8 frame, he was able to get quality looks, showcase promising rim pressure, be a contributor defensively and live in transition, where he scored eight of his 10 points.
Flagg tallied six rebounds, four assists, three steals, a block and just one turnover in 32 minutes of play. So while he did finish the game with more shot attempts than points, he impacted the floor in other ways to help his team get the win.
“The coaches have a lot of confidence in me,” Flagg said. “They were telling me they wanted to experiment, try some new things. I would say that might be one of the worst games of my life. We got the win so that’s what really matters.”
Bronny James Shows Flashes Of Being A Full-Time NBA Contributor
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Bronny James #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers is guarded by Cooper Flagg … More
Throughout his rookie campaign, Bronny James was a mainstay on the Lakers’ bench and on the G League floor for the South Bay Lakers. He wasn’t ready to contribute reliable NBA minutes for the Lakers and finished the 2024-2025 season appearing in just 27 big league games.
Coming into the offseason, it’s been alluded by the Lakers coaching staff that Bronny could factor into the rotation consistently during his second season. Last night, he showcased some potential upside as a rotational guard such as draining a contested three-point shot early in the game and providing competitive post defense against Cooper Flagg despite his 6-foot-2 frame.
Unfortunately for Bronny, he had the worst plus-minus of all the starting five Lakers in and shot a woeful 1 for 6 from three. His minutes will likely continue to be given out gradually this season as he continues to grow into his NBA role.
Ryan Nembhard May Be The Next Undrafted Gem Of The Summer League
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JULY 10: Ryan Nembhard #9 of the Dallas Mavericks brings the ball up the court … More
While Flagg worked to find his footing offensively, undrafted rookie Ryan Nembhard took control of the offense immediately for the Mavericks and posted team-high totals in points (21), assists (5), and field-goal makes (8).
The six-foot Nembhard is the younger brother of Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, and there was much excitement online about how the two siblings’ games resemble each other. Ryan showcased his on-ball defensive aggression and also found a way to get his scoring going as a midrange shooter and finisher around the basket.
While Nembhard is currently signed with Dallas on a two-way contract, he could have the chance to convert it into a standard deal if he continues to ball out in Vegas.
