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Mavericks vs. Lakers final score, results: Cooper Flagg shows all-around game, tops Bronny James in Summer League debut

Daniel Mader

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Mavericks vs. Lakers final score, results: Cooper Flagg shows all-around game, tops Bronny James in Summer League debut image

For the first time in what should be a long, successful career, Cooper Flagg stepped foot on an NBA court Thursday night. 

The newly minted No. 1 pick played his first Summer League game for the Mavericks, and it came against an opponent that Dallas has been intertwined with for nearly all of 2025: the Lakers. Bronny James was the headliner on the other side of the floor, creating a rare star-studded Summer League matchup, but it was the Mavericks that came out on top with an 87-85 victory.

Most important for Dallas, Flagg managed to still look like a future star despite a rough shooting night. The former Duke phenom shot just 5-for-21 from the floor, unable to find much of a rhythm offensively, but he still added six rebounds, four assists, and a clutch block in the fourth quarter. Ryan Nembhard, the brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, also put on a show with 21 points and five assists.

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As for the Lakers, James got off to an excellent start, looking much improved from the start of his rookie season at 2024 Summer League. He made his first two shot attempts, also showing some physicality defensively, but his impact in the second half was limited, as the former No. 55 overall pick later came up short on a game-winning 3-point attempt.

All things told, Flagg and James still put on a show for the Las Vegas crowd, often going head-to-head on both ends of the floor in the first half. Each showed some promise, but it was Flagg's Mavericks that walked away with their first Summer League win.

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights as Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks faced off against Bronny James and the Lakers in Summer League. Here's what you may have missed.

STREAM: Watch 2025 NBA Summer League games LIVE with Fubo (free trial)

Mavericks vs. Lakers score

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Lakers1730152385
Mavericks1924251987

Cooper Flagg stats today

  • Minutes: 31
  • Points: 10
  • Assists: 4
  • Rebounds: 6
  • Steals: 3
  • Blocks: 1
  • Turnovers: 1
  • Fouls: 2
  • FG: 5-21
  • 3P: 0-5
  • FT: 0-1

MORE: Full Cooper Flagg stats & highlights vs. Lakers

Bronny James stats today

  • Minutes: 20
  • Points: 8
  • Assists: 2
  • Rebounds: 2
  • Steals: 0
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 1
  • Fouls: 1
  • FG: 2-8
  • 3P: 1-6
  • FT: 3-4

MORE: Full Bronny James stats & highlights vs. Mavericks

Mavericks vs. Lakers updates, highlights from Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James in Summer League

All times ET.

Final: Mavericks 87, Lakers 85

10:04 p.m. — Flagg airballed a shot that would've extended Dallas lead with just seconds remaining, setting up a chance for the Lakers to tie or take the lead, down 87-85. Bronny James went for the win, sending up a 3-point attempt ... but it was no good.

Flagg, Nembhard and the Mavericks walk away with the win in the first game of the former Duke star's NBA career.

9:59 p.m. — Ryan Nembhard has been outstanding tonight. Flagg's inefficiency has held Dallas back a bit offensively, but Nembhard has looked a lot like his brother, up to 21 points and five assists after a 3-pointer that puts Dallas up 87-85.

It also came after a terrific Flagg block:

9:52 p.m. — Cole Swider has caught fire, and the Lakers have taken the lead. With just a few minutes remaining, the forward hits back-to-back triples to give LA an 84-84 advantage. Swider has six 3-pointers.

9:46 p.m. — Cooper Flagg and Bronny James shared a laugh as they go head-to-head:

End of third quarter: Mavericks 68, Lakers 62

9:36 p.m. — As we head to the fourth quarter, this one is still neck-and-neck. James and Flagg were much quieter in the third frame, but others stepped up on both sides. Knecht's NBA experience is clear, as he's got a game-high 15 points, while Swider has 12. For Dallas, two guards are leading the way: Miles Kelly and Ryan Nembhard, who have a combined 33 points.

9:26 p.m. — The Lakers are on a 13-9 run to open the second half. Knecht and Swider have a combined 27 points.

Halftime: Lakers 47, Mavericks 43

9:05 p.m. — At the break, Los Angeles has the advantage thanks to some strong scoring performances throughout its lineup. Bronny James has eight points, Cole Swider has nine points, Darius Bazley has seven and Dalton Knecht has six. For Dallas, Cooper Flagg has gotten a fair shot of shots (15) up in his 16 minutes, but has flashed the expected stardom.

Ryan Nembhard, the brother of Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard, has added in 12 points for the Mavericks as well.

8:46 p.m. — These two teams are giving the Vegas crowd exactly what it wants: Bronny vs. Flagg.

Despite undersized against his foe, the Lakers guard gets a nice stop on Flagg before a foul is called, putting his chest into the recent No. 1 pick. But, Flagg then answers by hitting a long, fadeaway jump shot over James. The energy is picking up between the two stars.

8:43 p.m. — He couldn't quite finish it off ... but Cooper Flagg nearly had one of his career highlights before his first NBA regular season game. He attempted to posterize Christian Koloko with his massive wingspan, but barely couldn't reach to get the ball in the rim.

8:42 p.m. — Bronny James hits a pair of free throws to begin the second quarter. He also gets the assignment of guarding Flagg.

End of first quarter: Mavericks 19, Lakers 17

8:34 p.m. — The headliners have been on a show in the first quarter. Bronny James made his first two shots for five points, although he subbed out after just four minutes. Cooper Flagg needed a few minutes to settle in, but then posted six points, including a fastbreak dunk.

8:31 p.m. — It didn't take long for Flagg to get in rhythm. He's got three field goals already, including an and-one bucket.

8:25 p.m. — Hello, Cooper Flagg. He scores his first Summer League points with a breakaway slam, then hits another fadeaway shot just seconds later.

8:20 p.m. — Bronny James is off to an excellent start. He knocks down a 3-pointer to hit five early points, and the Lakers guard is looking poised thus far.

8:15 p.m. — They're under way in Las Vegas, and Bronny James opens the scoring with a nice mid-range shot right over Flagg.

Pregame

8:09 p.m. — It will be a while before Kyrie Irving can take an NBA court with Cooper Flagg as he recovers from an ACL tear, but the former NBA champion is still in Vegas to watch his teammate's debut tonight.

8:08 p.m. — Bronny James and Dalton Knecht are among Los Angeles' starters:

7:45 p.m. — It's expected to be a massive crowd for tonight's Summer League matchup. Check out the line to get in earlier today:

7:44 p.m. — Bronny James and Cooper Flagg are in the building in Las Vegas.

7:40 p.m. — We're just 20 minutes out from Cooper Flagg's introduction to the NBA. Summer League performances will always come with a grain of salt, but tonight should be the first indications of how the Duke star's skills will translate at the next level.

MORE: A full timeline of LeBron James' offseason with the Lakers so far

Mavericks vs. Lakers start time 

  • Date: Thursday, July 10
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET, 5 p.m. PT

The Summer League matchup between the Mavericks and Lakers will tip off around 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 10. The game will be played at Thomas & Mack Center in in Las Vegas, Nev.

How to watch Mavericks vs. Lakers in Summer League

Thursday's matchup between Dallas and Los Angeles in Summer League will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Fans looking to stream the game can use ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial to new users.

Daniel Mader

Daniel Mader is a Content Producer for The Sporting News. He joined SN in 2024 as an editorial intern following graduation from Penn State University. He has previously written for Sports Illustrated, NBC Sports, the Centre Daily Times, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, The Daily Collegian and LancasterOnline. Daniel grew up in Lancaster, Penn., with a love for baseball that’ll never fade, but could also talk basketball or football for days.