Anthony Davis Supports Rookie Cooper Flagg After Struggling Mavericks Debut

In the Dallas Mavericks' season opener, rookie Cooper Flagg struggled in his NBA debut, finishing with 10 points, 10 rebounds, no assists, and poor shooting, as the Mavericks were soundly defeated 125-92 by the San Antonio Spurs. Victor Wembanyama dominated the game with 40 points and 15 rebounds, overshadowing Flagg's performance and highlighting the challenges the rookie faced, especially as he stepped into the point guard role during Kyrie Irving's absence. Veteran teammate Anthony Davis sympathized with Flagg, emphasizing the difficulty of adjusting to the NBA's high-intensity environment and the pressure from media and fan expectations, drawing parallels with his own early career experiences. Davis reassured that Flagg's first-game jitters are normal and expressed confidence that the rookie will improve as the season progresses. Flagg himself acknowledged his underwhelming debut but remained focused on moving forward and meeting the challenges ahead. Despite the tough start, both Flagg and Davis remain optimistic about the rookie's development and contributions to the Mavericks.