Cooper Flagg Impresses NBA Fans with Highlights in Mavs' Preseason Debut vs. Thunder

In the Dallas Mavericks' preseason opener, Cooper Flagg wasted no time showing why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

The 18-year-old rookie out of Duke turned heads in his debut, flashing elite vision, defensive instincts and confidence well beyond his years. Flagg's highlight reel from the night quickly made the rounds on social media, with fans marveling at his poise and playmaking.

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Flagg led all starters — including Anthony Davis, D'Angelo Russell, Klay Thompson and Dereck Lively II — in scoring at the half, posting 10 points, six rebounds and a block.

Even as the No. 1 overall pick, Flagg couldn't hide his excitement ahead of Monday's preseason debut, eager to use it as a springboard into the regular season after a long and productive offseason and training camp.

"Yeah, I'm excited," Flagg said, per Dallas Hoops Journal Grant Afseth . "It's obviously preseason, like you said, but it's another step in the right direction, getting down the road and getting ready for the season. I'm excited to be able to get out there with the guys. We've been practicing and playing hard for a while now out here in the summer, so I'm excited to just get on the court and really play somebody else."

The rookie first took the floor during the 2025 NBA Summer League, where he averaged 20.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks over two games before being shut down for the remainder of the summer.

Dallas will open its season at home against the San Antonio Spurs on Oct. 22.