‘Use His Gravity’: Kyrie Irving, Cooper Flagg Carry Preseason Lessons Into First Regular-Season Test Together

DALLAS — Kyrie Irving and Cooper Flagg play their first regular-season game together Wednesday, when the Dallas Mavericks open the 2026-27 season at the Houston Rockets. Tip-off at Toyota Center is set for 7:30 p.m. CT.

Both entered the NBA as the first overall pick and won Rookie of the Year, Irving with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2011-12 and Flagg with Dallas last season. Irving, 34, is in his 16th season. Flagg, 19, is in his second.

Their careers had not overlapped in a game that counted. Irving tore his left ACL on March 3, 2025, three months before Dallas drafted Flagg, and missed all of 2025-26. He averaged 24.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 50 games before the injury and was selected to his ninth All-Star Game that season. Flagg went on to average 21.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists as a rookie, starting all 70 of his games.

They shared the floor twice in the preseason. In a 132-115 win over Houston in Macao on Oct. 11, Irving scored 17 points in his first game back, and Flagg added 14 points and 7 assists. In Friday’s 135-111 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Flagg had 26 points, 12 rebounds, and 4 assists in 30 minutes, while Irving scored 18 in 17 minutes and went 5-of-7 from 3-point range.

What Dusty May Saw From Kyrie Irving And Cooper Flagg

Mavericks coach Dusty May had called Friday’s finale a dress rehearsal before the game. Two days later, he said the pair complement each other because of their versatility.

“Those two guys, I thought they found a good chemistry together, especially in transition and on some busted plays,” May said. “I think they really complement each other’s games well because of the versatility. I thought both of them played well.”

“I mean, I think from a statistical standpoint, it was obvious they played well, but there were also a lot of the hidden plays that I thought jumped out because of the gravity each provides,” May continued.

Irving and Flagg combined for 44 of Dallas’ 111 points against Atlanta. Over a full season, May wants the rest of the roster carrying more of the load.

“I thought we opened up some space to get guys some really good looks,” May explained. “And I thought most importantly, they trusted their teammates and continued to make the right basketball plays. And I think that’s going to be the key.”

“If we’re going to go at 82 games and just count on those two guys carrying us, no one else getting in the flow, it’s gonna be, those guys are gonna be worn, worn down,” May added. “So I think us continuing to find ways to use their leverage to get everyone good looks and everyone involved in it, knowing that obviously the ball needs to find them as well.”

Houston and Atlanta both pressured the ball in the preseason. On Monday, May described how Dallas wants to free the two of them up.

“We have to be creative with teams obviously keying on those guys so much, to figure out a way to relieve some pressure, to give them catches and use their energy to create the advantages versus having them fight pressure so much,” May said.

Irving And Flagg On Playing Together

Two preseason games gave Flagg a first look at playing next to Irving. On Tuesday, he said the two are still working out how to create advantages for each other.

“I mean, it’s new. So just figuring out the ways we can play off each other, use each other, create advantages for each other,” Flagg said. “And obviously it’s going to be a little bit of a learning experience. But it’s fun to play with a guy like that and use his gravity.”

On Monday, Irving discussed how Dallas will divide the ball-handling. He expects the defensive attention to settle on him and Flagg.

“It’s not so much about what I see. It’s really just heightening our awareness of what our skill set is out there, or what our skill sets are as a group,” Irving said. “We have a few guys that can play with the ball in their hands and be creative, and we have a few guys that need to be set up, so just got to find that balance and conserve our energy out there for each other.”

“Just be there on possessions where we can communicate where our offensive positions are supposed to be and get the best shot possible. That’s what basketball is about, especially in this locker room,” Irving continued. “We have an equal side of offense, but obviously we know there are a few creators like myself and Cooper. The gravity is going to be on us, and we got to use that to our advantage, and not try to give too much away in the media as well.”

Irving is 15 years older than Flagg, and the roster also includes rookies Morez Johnson Jr. and Sergio de Larrea. Irving knows how much his voice carries in that locker room, he said Monday.

“We have a very young team. I’m a veteran myself, but my voice carries weight,” Irving explained. “So I’m aware of that, and so does Dusty. So I never want to step on his toes or get in the way of what he’s teaching.”

There have been no restrictions on Irving heading into Wednesday. It will be his first regular-season game in more than 19 months.

“I’m really excited, man, really excited, looking forward to the opportunity to just be in Houston, hear my name called out there as well, the state of Texas, it’s a good rivalry game,” Irving said. “And I think it’s a good test for me, just where my body is, first game and going against some high-level competition.”

Houston beat Dallas 135-117 in the first Macao game on Oct. 9 and went 52-30 last season. After Wednesday, the Mavericks play at the Indiana Pacers on Friday and host the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday.