Cooper Flagg arrived in Dallas carrying the burden of expectation born of tragedy in the eyes of fans: a top pick, a new era, a fresh start in the wake of the departure of former cornerstone Luka Doncic. The other day, the first glimpse of the Mavericks' new arrangement was revealed. In a 139-129 win over the Raptors, the first overall pick of the 2025 draft scored 22 points, four rebounds and four assists, and helped blow the lead in the third quarter to blow the game away.
To be sure, the Mavericks' first win of the young season was less about a rookie making a splash, but rather about their new reality in the post-Doncic era. They entered the competition struggling from an 0–2 start and looking for an identity. Flagg's dunk on Sandro Mamukelashvili — from D'Angelo Russell's futuristic feed in transition — gave otherwise disappointed followers of the blue and white hope for the future.
Flagg's contributions led the Mavericks to a 26–9 run in the deciding quarter; His seven markers and three dimes during the burst were reflective of his effort to push the pace. Ranked last in offensive efficiency until now, he attacked quickly and troubled the Raptors with his output: 25 fast break points, 70 in the paint, 29 of 39 from the free throw line.
Still, head coach Jason Kidd is right in preaching caution. At 18 years and 309 days old, Flagg became the fifth-youngest player in NBA history, behind Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Tracy McGrady and Jermaine O'Neal, to score at least 20 points in an outing. His credentials are impressive, true, but the road to stardom is a long one. Talent opens doors; Continuity builds legacy.
In any case, the Mavericks can't help but consider Flagg's performance a step in the right direction. As public sentiment on the divorce from Dončić continues to be negative, they need proof that their rebuilding also brings renewal. And, if nothing else, the second day provided validation of the roster's ability to be greater than the sum of its parts: Anthony Davis scored 25 and 10, Russell added 24 and six, and all seven players scored in double figures.
However, even in the glow, questions remain. Can Flagg sustain this type of production? Will the Mavericks maintain their new offensive streak as the schedule tightens? Does Davis have the motivation to provide much-needed leadership? Being just the beginning, this chapter demands patience. Victories are already fading from memory, but habits must remain.
Anthony L. Kuekong has been writing court side since businessworld Introduced a sports section in 1994. He is a consultant on strategic planning, operations and human resource management, corporate communications and business development.
