MACAO — Dallas Mavericks coach Dusty May said Friday that Cooper Flagg moves differently when the lights are on. Flagg scored 17 of his 19 points in the second quarter of May’s first NBA game, a 135-117 preseason loss to the Houston Rockets at The Venetian Arena.
Flagg had 2 points on 1-of-3 shooting with 2 turnovers in the first quarter. He went 6-of-11 from the field and 4-of-4 at the line in 10:19 of the second quarter, including 3 pull-up jumpers from 14 to 16 feet in a 5:18 stretch. He finished with 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists, along with a steal and a block, on 7-of-14 shooting in 19:02. He did not play in the second half.
Dusty May On Cooper Flagg’s Decisions And Competitiveness
Dallas is not running much offense for Flagg yet, May said. The Mavericks are still learning how to make the play after the play.
“I thought Coop just overall played well. I thought his decision making was good,” May said. “I thought a couple threes were right on line. They looked good. I thought he was making the right plays, the right decisions. Just to see how competitive he is and he’s got a, when the lights are on he moves differently and that’s something that you don’t ever know until you experience, but just to see him in the game, his potential was through the roof.”
Flagg opened the second quarter with a 14-foot pull-up jumper. He then blocked an Amen Thompson layup and finished the other end with an alley-oop dunk from Naji Marshall to cut Houston’s lead to 27-23.
May Calls Developing Flagg ‘A Big Responsibility’
Flagg, the first overall pick in 2025, is 19. He and Kyrie Irving will be the fulcrum of whatever Dallas runs once more of its core players are back, May said.
“100%. You’re balancing what he could be to not skipping steps. I thought he played really well tonight. His activity, his anticipation defensively, and we’re not running much stuff for him right now,” May explained. “We’re playing in the flow. We’re still trying to learn how to play as far as the play after the play better.”
“But, yeah, there’s a responsibility on all of us because I think any great player, their success is determined by everyone around them,” May continued. “So all of us to be better teammates, better players, better coaches will contribute to him maximizing his potential, but absolutely, we don’t take it for granted. This is a big responsibility to help him on his evolution into being one of the best.”
The crowd in Macao was loud and gave the Mavericks energy, Flagg said. 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.”
The Mavericks and Rockets meet again Sunday at The Venetian Arena, with tip-off set for 5 a.m. CT. Dallas returns home for preseason games Oct. 14 and Oct. 16 before opening the regular season Oct. 21 at Houston.
