Rookie phenom Cooper Flagg officially stepped onto the NBA stage for the Dallas Mavericks, delivering a hard-fought double-double in a challenging debut that saw his team fall significantly to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. Fans got their first glimpse of his raw talent and the strategic vision of coach Jason Kidd.
The highly anticipated debut of Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick, unfolded on Wednesday night as the Mavericks faced off against the San Antonio Spurs at the American Airlines Center. While Flagg delivered a respectable statistical performance, the evening was ultimately dominated by the Spurs’ young core, particularly the sensational Victor Wembanyama, who led his team to a resounding 125-92 victory.
Flagg, at just 18 years old, stepped onto the court as the youngest player in the NBA. His selection as the top pick came with immense fanfare, following a standout high school and college career that saw him widely regarded as a generational talent, as noted by ESPN. His professional journey began under an unconventional strategic move by Mavericks coach Jason Kidd.
Kidd’s Bold Experiment: Flagg at Point Guard
Despite excelling as a small forward at Duke and standing at 6’9″, Kidd opted to start Flagg at point guard for his debut. This decision, which Kidd hinted at back in June, was part of a broader strategy to push the rookie’s development and maximize the team’s size advantage on the floor. Kidd’s coaching philosophy often involves placing players in challenging roles to foster growth, a tactic he’s employed with other young talents throughout his tenure, as NBA.com has often highlighted regarding his work with Luka Doncic.
“I want to make him uncomfortable and see how he reacts being able to run the show,” Kidd said of Flagg playing point guard in June. “Being able to play the 2, play the 3, he’s comfortable playing that. But we want to push, and I think he’s going to respond in a positive way. It’s all right to fail, it’s all right to turn the ball over.”
This bold move aimed to test Flagg’s versatility and decision-making from day one, an exciting prospect for fans eager to see the full breadth of his abilities.
A Debut of Two Halves: From Silence to a Double-Double
The game opened with a thrilling sequence for Flagg. He immediately registered a steal and nearly capitalized on an alley-oop from Anthony Davis, a play that could have been an iconic first bucket. However, the ball didn’t find the net, and Davis ended up cleaning up the rebound for the score.
Cooper Flagg almost had the greatest first bucket in NBA history pic.twitter.com/lkWivMcpHD
— Mavs Fans For Life (@MavsFansForLife) October 23, 2025
After that initial burst, Flagg endured a slow first half, attempting only two shots and missing both. He concluded the first 17 minutes with six rebounds but no points. A notable moment saw Spurs rookie Stephon Castle forcing a turnover on Flagg and converting it into a basket.
The narrative shifted in the second half. Flagg quickly scored his first career points with a jumper to open the third quarter. He visibly found a better rhythm later in the period, sinking back-to-back baskets. By the end of the night, Flagg finished with an impressive stat line for a debut:
- Points: 10
- Rebounds: 10
- Field Goals: 4-of-13 (30.8%)
- Three-Pointers: 0-of-1
- Free Throws: 2-of-2 (100%)
- Steals: 1
- Turnovers: 3
- Minutes Played: 32
His 10 points and 10 rebounds marked his first career NBA double-double. While a solid individual accomplishment, the team struggled, and Flagg recorded a team-worst plus/minus of -29.
Cooper Flagg’s first NBA points 🔥
Start of a new era in Dallas 🔵 pic.twitter.com/zJrQaEhsmh
— Cooper Flagg Fan Account (@FlaggFanAccount) October 23, 2025
Wembanyama and the Spurs Steal the Show
The night, however, belonged to Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs. In his third NBA season, Wembanyama delivered a dominant performance, tallying 40 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks, showcasing why he remains one of the league’s most electrifying talents. He shot an efficient 15 of 21 from the field and did not commit a single turnover in 30 minutes, dazzling with no-look passes and powerful dunks.
The Spurs’ other young top-five picks, Stephon Castle (22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) and Dylan Harper (15 points), also made significant contributions, combining with Wembanyama to demonstrate a formidable future for San Antonio. The Spurs collectively shot an impressive 57.5% from the field, while the Mavericks struggled at 37.3%.
For the Mavericks, Anthony Davis provided 22 points and 13 rebounds, though he was hampered by four fouls in the first half. P.J. Washington added 17 points, and Klay Thompson chipped in 10 points. The team was without their starting point guard Kyrie Irving, who is expected to miss several months recovering from a torn ACL sustained in March. Similarly, the Spurs were missing De’Aaron Fox due to a right hamstring injury.
Flagg’s Candid Self-Assessment and Looking Ahead
Following the loss, Flagg offered a candid assessment of his performance, acknowledging the learning curve of his first professional game.
“Not great. I mean, obviously didn’t play incredibly well, but gotta move past it,” Flagg stated, according to Landon Thomas of Mavs Fans For Life. “Turn our focus and start getting ready for Friday.”
Cooper Flagg on his assessment of his play tonight in his NBA debut…
“Not great, I mean obviously didn’t play incredibly well but gotta move past it…” pic.twitter.com/ukCsKfoC94
— Mavs Fans For Life (@MavsFansForLife) October 23, 2025
He noted a desire to be more aggressive from the outset, believing it could help him establish a rhythm earlier in games. “I got to be a little more aggressive off the rip,” Flagg emphasized. The Mavericks will have their next opportunity to bounce back when they host the Washington Wizards on Friday, October 24.
While not a storybook beginning, Cooper Flagg’s debut offers a glimpse into the potential of the Mavericks’ future. The journey for the No. 1 pick and his team is just beginning, with plenty of lessons to be learned and growth to be made as they navigate the rigorous NBA season.
