MACAO — Cooper Flagg said Friday that he expects to play Sunday, when Kyrie Irving is set to return for the Dallas Mavericks in the second of two NBA China Games against the Houston Rockets. Mavericks coach Dusty May said before Friday’s opener that Irving will make his return in Sunday’s game.
Flagg scored 19 points in 19:02 in Friday’s 135-117 loss at The Venetian Arena, all of it in the first half. He had 17 of those points in the second quarter and finished with 6 rebounds and 3 assists on 7-of-14 shooting. Irving sat out the opener with left knee rest and has not played since tearing the ACL in his left knee against Sacramento on March 3, 2025.
Cooper Flagg On Ramping Up For The Regular Season
May said before Friday’s game that Flagg would play within a set minute range, which he declined to share. Rotation players across the league typically do not overextend themselves early in preseason, he said.
“I wouldn’t call it minute restrictions as much as just the normal ramp-up. When you look around the league, I think it’s very typical for the rotation players to not overextend themselves early in preseason. So he’ll play tonight. We have a few specific things we want to see from him tonight,” May said. “But for the most part, we want to see Coop impacting the game in every facet. He’s such a versatile player, someone who literally can score at three levels. He can make defensive plays on and off the ball. But, yeah, he’ll play tonight. We have a minute range, but I don’t have to divulge that right now.”
The crowd in Macao was loud and gave the Mavericks energy, Flagg said after the game. The team arrived earlier this week and has been adjusting to the time difference.
“I definitely anticipated playing again on Sunday. I mean, this is a process for us of just ramping up and getting prepared to play and get ready for the regular season. So definitely there,” Flagg said. “And I felt good today. I think obviously the first wind was tough. I think everybody was pretty gassed up there for a little bit, but I thought the second wind hit pretty good and got into a good stride.”
Flagg Set For First Game With Kyrie Irving
Flagg and Irving have yet to share the court in a game. Irving’s gravity and the way he manipulates a game will make things a lot easier for him, said Flagg, who described their early chemistry in practice a day earlier.
“Whatever ends up happening, I’m just excited. Whenever we get to share the court for the first time, obviously it’s been an incredible training camp to play together and kind of figure that out on the fly. It’s been fun and I’m really excited,” Flagg explained. “Just sharing the court with someone like him and his gravity and the way he can manipulate the game is obviously going to make my life a lot easier. So I’m really excited to get the chance to share the court together, and whenever that is, it’s going to be great.”
The attention Irving draws gives everyone else more space and more creativity to play, May said before the opener. May has watched Irving in practice throughout camp.
“He’s been unbelievable in practice as far as leadership and mentoring the younger players. He’s a wealth of knowledge, and so we’re encouraging him to share as much of that with everyone as possible. Just excited to see him back on the court again,” May explained. “There have been several times in practice when you’re watching him play and you realize how much gravity and leverage he provides for the other guys. And so I think that’s one area where we can make a big improvement offensively, simply having a floor general like him on the court with a young group. I think it will open up a number of things.”
The Mavericks and Rockets meet again Sunday at The Venetian Arena, with tip-off set for 5 a.m. CT. Rockets coach Ime Udoka said Kevin Durant will not play. Dallas returns home for preseason games Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 before opening the regular season Oct. 21 at Houston.
