Cooper Flagg Struggles in Rookie Season with Mavericks
Cooper Flagg’s journey from Duke and the acclaimed Florida prep program hasn’t quite prepared him for the challenges of the NBA.
The 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick expressed his frustration after the Mavericks’ narrow 101-99 loss to the struggling Pelicans, which brought the team’s record to 2-6.
Interestingly, Flagg experienced only four losses during his time with the Blue Devils.
He admitted, “For me, it’s the most losses since then. You know, it’s the most I’ve ever lost. It’s definitely different from before, and I need more games to adjust.” He added that while no one is pleased about the situation, the players are trying to stay calm, reminding themselves there are still many games left in the season.
Flagg also mentioned, “I know it’s tough to keep losing, so I really want to make some changes and hopefully start seeing some improvement.”
The Mavericks are a step up from what you’d typically expect from a No. 1 pick team, but they face significant challenges. With Kyrie Irving possibly out for the season and Anthony Davis currently injured, the team’s potential feels limited. Adding to the pressure, veteran Klay Thompson is enduring his toughest season start, with an average of just 8.5 points per game, leading to a shift to a bench role.
Dallas has remained competitive, but they often falter in close matchups, suffering their third consecutive loss and fourth in five games with Wednesday’s result.
The game climaxed with Flagg holding the ball during the final play. With less than ten seconds on the clock and down by two, the Pelicans missed a shot but managed to secure the rebound for the win.
Flagg, who won a state title in Maine before transferring to Montverde Academy in Florida, scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds over 35 minutes of play. He noted, “I found myself in a good position, had a strong run in the second half. Unfortunately, my shot didn’t drop.”
Flagg’s rookie season has started strong, averaging 14.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Except for one game where he only scored two points against the Thunder, he has been consistent, with his first double-double coming on October 29th against the Pacers (15 points, 10 rebounds).
Looking ahead, the Mavericks aim to remain in playoff contention, contingent on Davis’s health as he’s scheduled to play against Memphis on Friday.
Despite the rocky start, Flagg remains positive about the learning opportunities presented. “We have some excellent defenders and competitors, and it’s exciting to compete at such a high level,” he said. “There’s a lot of valuable film to analyze and lessons to be learned, and I’m eager to reflect on those moments and improve.”
