Cooper Flagg shut down in Summer League after only two games!

NBA fans will have to wait until preseason to see Cooper Flagg in action again. After a dominant performance in the 76-69 loss against the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, the Dallas Mavericks officially pulled their rookie from the Las Vegas Summer League.

Cooper Flagg, as first reported by our very own @TheSteinLine on Saturday’s show from @WestgateVegas, will be shut down for the remainder of Mavericks Summer League after scoring 31 points on Saturday against the Spurs #MFFL pic.twitter.com/9ZATMj56Q4

— DLLS Mavs (@DLLS_Mavs) July 13, 2025

A precautionary decision after showing improvement

The Texas franchise made this decision after seeing what they wanted from the former Duke player. Flagg scored 31 points on 10/21 shooting and 3/9 from 3-point range against the Spurs, a clear improvement from his difficult debut against the Lakers on Thursday (10 points on 5/21 shooting, 0/5 from 3-point range).

« I think it’s a new environment, a new setting, » Flagg said after the loss to San Antonio. « They want to see me be aggressive and do those kinds of things. I think I did that much better today, just getting to the line, getting contact, and it helped me get comfortable and settle in early. I still missed a lot of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn’t too happy about that. »

Mavericks Summer League coach Josh Broghamer praised Flagg’s ability to « continue making the right decisions » and commended the 6’8″ rookie’s work « off the ball » during Saturday’s game.

Well-deserved rest before a marathon season

This decision follows the classic precautionary approach for future league stars, similar to Victor Wembanyama or Paolo Banchero in recent years. Dallas wants to preserve their gem for what will be a much longer season than what he was used to at the college level.

« I think I was solid. I’m exhausted, » Flagg admitted. « I’m not used to bringing the ball up like that. I had somebody on my hip every time I brought the ball up 94 feet. I think I did a solid job bringing it up against pressure and setting up different actions. »

With averages of 20.5 points, 5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1 block in two games, Flagg has already proven his potential. Dallas might ask him to handle the ball more early in the season, especially while waiting for Kyrie Irving to return from his knee injury.