The much-anticipated first day of the NBA Las Vegas Summer League brought a thrilling encounter between the Dallas Mavericks and the Los Angeles Lakers, with the Mavericks clinching an 87-85 win. The spotlight was on Cooper Flagg, the number one overall pick, who scored 10 points, while Bronny James showed off his confidence.

“It’s just a different game,” Flagg reflected after the match. “Different pace, different feel, different spacing. Just a lot of adjustments, but we’ll be alright.”

This marked a unique beginning to the Summer League, where typically the top picks face off directly. However, fans were eager to see Flagg take on the son of basketball legend LeBron James, creating hype around this matchup, as ticket prices soared to record highs.

In the initial moments of the game, Flagg faced a steep learning curve, quickly greeted by two defenders upon his first offensive play. After missing his first shots, he managed to score with a powerful dunk.

Flagg in action

His coach, Jason Kidd, noted that Flagg would be actively involved as the primary ball-handler throughout the Summer League. Despite his challenging shooting performance, Flagg’s ability to get into key positions was commendable.

“Not up to my standard,” said Flagg, acknowledging his difficulties while reaffirming his determination.

James displayed a marked improvement from his previous performances, attacking the game with newfound aggressiveness and confidence, scoring 8 points with 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

In the end, the debut game served as a crucial experience for both players, highlighting their growth and the potential ahead.