Cooper Flagg enters his rookie season as one of the most-hyped newcomers in quite some time.
The Dallas Mavericks took the former Duke star with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft, as Flagg takes over as the franchise player with Luka Doncic now on the Los Angeles Lakers. Flagg joins Anthony Davis to form a dynamic duo early in the year, with point guard Kyrie Irving still recovering from a torn ACL.
Flagg opens his NBA career on Monday night, as the Mavericks host the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first preseason game of the year. Since the Thunder are the defending NBA champions, this game marks a more interesting matchup than a standard preseason NBA game.
Here's a look at how Flagg performed in his first preseason game in the NBA.
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Cooper Flagg stats vs. Thunder
- Points: 10
- Rebounds: 6
- Assists: 3
- Steals: 0
- Blocks: 1
- TOs: 0
- PF: 0
- FG: 3-6
- 3P: 2-3
- FT: 2-2
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Cooper Flagg highlights vs. Thunder
Flagg's first highlight in the NBA came on the defensive end, as he collects a block early in the first quarter.
Cooper Flagg block... AD alley-oop 😤
— NBA (@NBA) October 7, 2025
Dallas' front court is making a mark early against the defending champs on NBA TV! pic.twitter.com/dzAB7wddal
Flagg also had a nice assist in the first quarter, displaying his point guard abilities while finding Dwight Powell for a score.
Point Cooper Flagg on display.
— Esfandiar Baraheni (@JustEsBaraheni) October 7, 2025
Looks really natural/poised when making decisions pic.twitter.com/k5T2mxTP5G
It took a while, but Flagg's first bucket came on a drive where he went up strong for the layup.
COOPER FLAGG’S FIRST NBA BUCKET WAS TUFF 😤😤😤#MFFL pic.twitter.com/EVnaWI1Fk0
— MFFL (@Mavs_FFL) October 7, 2025
And Flagg also hit his first three-pointer in the NBA, which was able to extend an already big Mavericks lead.
Cooper Flagg hits a 3 👀pic.twitter.com/FS6lZS39gv
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) October 7, 2025
Flagg ended the first half with 10 point, six rebounds and three assists with two three-pointers made. He also had a block and made two free throws.
Flagg didn't play in the second half, marking this the official end of his preseason debut.
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Mavericks vs. Thunder start time
- Date: Monday, October 6
- Time: 8:30 p.m.
- TV Channel: NBA TV
Cooper Flagg will make his NBA preseason debut on Monday, October 6 against the Thunder. The game will be played in Dallas at 8:30 p.m. and can be watched nationally on NBA TV.
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Mavericks schedule 2025
Here's a look at the Mavericks preseason schedule for 2025:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV Channel |
| 10/6 | vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 10/11 | vs. Hornets | 8:30 p.m. | N/A |
| 10/13 | @ Jazz | 9:00 p.m. | NBA TV |
| 10/15 | vs. Lakers | 10:30 p.m. | ESPN |
And here is how the Mavericks will open the 2025 regular season:
| Date | Opponent | Time (ET) | National TV Channel |
| 10/22 | vs. Spurs | 9:30 p.m. | ESPN |
| 10/24 | vs. Wizards | 8:30 p.m. | N/A |
| 10/26 | vs. Raptors | 7:30 p.m. | N/A |
| 10/27 | vs. Thunder | 8:30 p.m. | N/A |
| 10/29 | vs. Pacers | 8:30 p.m. | N/A |
| 11/1 | vs. Pistons (in Mexico City) | 10:00 p.m. | Peacock |