TL;DR
- Luka Doncic scored 35 points and had 11 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers.
- Cooper Flagg recorded 13 points and 11 assists in the Mavericks' loss.
- Doncic praised Flagg, calling him a good player who will become great.
- Doncic's own career trajectory is presented as an example for Flagg to follow.
Luka Doncic and Cooper Flagg were among the prominent performers showcased in the NBA's significant Friday night contest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
Doncic commanded attention with his 35-point, 11-assist performance, hitting shots at a better-than-average clip (55.6% from the floor and 44.4% from beyond the arc). However, Flagg also made a notable impact, tallying 13 points and 11 assists during the Mavericks' 129-119 defeat (he now holds the distinction of being the youngest player in NBA history to achieve 11 assists).
After the exciting duel, Doncic sent Flagg a six-word message that he’ll likely appreciate.
“I think he’s a good player,” Doncic said while speaking to reporters.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with the 1st pick so he has a lot on his shoulder, but I think he will become a great player.”
Despite not being the initial selection in his draft class, Doncic can empathize with Flagg's status as a high draft pick, landing at number three in 2018.
The renowned Mavericks player was also anticipated to be a prominent performer right from the start, a task that's quite challenging, considering the numerous elements that can hinder a highly selected newcomer from launching their professional journey successfully (such as coaching staff, team support, management decisions, and so forth).
Luckily, Doncic managed to achieve this, posting averages of 21.2 points, 7.8 boards, and 6.0 dimes, all while demonstrating his swift court coverage and exceptional passing abilities on a regular basis. By 2025, Doncic has developed into a superior player compared to his 2018 self, a development that has greatly pleased the Lakers.
The 6-foot-6 Lakers guard is on fire to start the year, contributing 35.1 points, 9.4 assists, and 8.5 rebounds as the Lakers’ dynamic No. 1 scoring option.
For Flagg's benefit, one hopes the Duke product points to Doncic as an illustration of an athlete who ignored external distractions, set aside things beyond his command, and swiftly rose to prominence.
More NBA: Lakers' Luka Doncic gives Mavericks fans hope for future return with eight-word admission