Cooper Flagg edges Bronny James in Summer League showdown despite shooting struggles
James missed a potential game-winning three-pointer
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cooper Flagg made his NBA Summer League debut, and it came with a bit of a twist.
The future face of the association went toe-to-toe with the current face's son, Bronny James, and Flagg has the upper hand after their first bout.
The NBA's all-time points leader's son missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds that gave Flagg and his Mavs an 87-85 victory.
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Cooper Flagg, #32 of the Dallas Mavericks, is guarded by Bronny James, #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers, in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ryan Nembhard gave Dallas the lead with 1:03 to go on a three-pointer assisted by Flagg - seconds after Flagg swatted away a shot from L.A.'s DJ Steward. Los Angeles called a timeout, and they brought in James.
Los Angeles got fouled but missed both free-throws. Flagg then attempted to increase the lead with 15 seconds left but missed his shot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}James then tried for the game-winner, but missed, and the Mavs were able to come away with the victory.
Flagg struggled from the floor, scoring just 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, with six of those points coming in a 90-second span in the first quarter. He grabbed six rebounds, handed out four assists, and had three steals and a block in 32 minutes played. His first bucket, though, was a thunderous slam on a coast-to-coast.
"I couldn’t really get into a rhythm, it’s a different environment, obviously very different from college, it’s probably very different from what the real NBA is gonna be like," Flagg said after the game. "The coaches had a lot of confidence in me. They’ve been telling me they want me to experiment, try some new things, and I was trying to be aggressive, and that’s new for me too.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I would say that might be one of the worst games in my life, but we got the win, that’s what really matters to me."
Bronny James, #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Cooper Flagg, #32 of the Dallas Mavericks, go after a loose ball in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ian Maule/Getty Images)
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Flagg admitted he was "a little nervous."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"It’s a new environment, a lot of new fans and whatnot," Flagg said. "So I was a little nervous, a little excited, but just happy to be here. It’s a dream come true, so I’m just trying to enjoy the moment."
James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Duke product missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.
The two had several tough plays against one another, and shared plenty of laughs on the court.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}James scored eight points to go along with two boards and two assists.
Bronny James, #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers, is guarded by Cooper Flagg, #32 of the Dallas Mavericks, in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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James was the 55th pick in last year's NBA Draft out of USC. Flagg went No. 1 overall late last month to the Dallas Mavericks.
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