Cooper Flagg made a notable impression in his final preseason game, scoring 13 points as the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 121-94 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Flagg, who contributed 3 assists and 2 rebounds over 28 minutes, had his longest run this preseason, showcasing his potential ahead of his official NBA debut.
The game itself lacked the expected excitement, as the Lakers were short-handed. Notably, former Mavericks star Luka Dončić sat out, having previously faced Dallas following his trade to Los Angeles. This season, the Mavericks won the NBA Draft lottery for the first time and selected Flagg from Duke.
Flagg highlighted the night with impressive plays, including a backdoor cut leading to a two-handed dunk and an acrobatic layup after maneuvering past Dalton Knecht. However, the Lakers started strong, with Gabe Vincent scoring 18 points in the first quarter, hitting 5-of-5 from three-point range and finishing the half with 22 points, giving Los Angeles a 13-point lead.
As the game progressed, Dallas surged in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Lakers 37-8 for a decisive victory. Anthony Davis led the Mavericks with 18 points and 9 rebounds, while Dereck Lively and P.J. Washington added 12 and 13 points, respectively. The Lakers’ roster was further depleted by the absence of key players like LeBron James, who is sidelined with sciatica, and Bronny James, who is dealing with an ankle sprain. The Lakers’ next preseason game is against the Sacramento Kings.
