Mavericks' Cooper Flagg Posts Historic Double-Double in NBA Debut Despite Team Defeat

Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made his much-anticipated debut for the Dallas Mavericks with a historic double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to do so. Despite his underwhelming shooting performance and being thrust into the challenging role of point guard, Flagg showed mental resilience and promise, earning praise from coach Jason Kidd and teammates for his leadership potential. Critics and former players like DeMarcus Cousins have expressed concern that the Mavericks are misusing Flagg by playing him out of position, which could hinder his development given the high responsibility placed on an 18-year-old rookie. Flagg's debut highlighted the growing pains of a young player adjusting to the NBA, but his aggressive second-half performance and rebounding prowess suggest a bright future ahead. His college career at Duke was outstanding, setting freshman scoring records and earning top accolades, which fueled high expectations. While some fans were disappointed by his first game, experts emphasize patience and see no reason to sound the alarm, as Flagg's overall skill set and mindset bode well for his growth in the league.