Cooper Flagg edges Bronny James in Summer League showdown despite shooting struggles

Paul Pierce shares his thoughts on what to expect from Cooper Flagg in his rookie season with the Dallas Mavericks.

Cooper Flagg made his NBA Summer League debut, and it came with a bit of a twist.

The future face of the association went toe-to-toe with the current face's son, Bronny James, and Flagg has the upper hand after their first bout.

The NBA's all-time points leader's son missed a potential game-winning three-pointer in the final seconds that gave Flagg and his Mavs an 87-85 victory.

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Cooper Flagg, #32 of the Dallas Mavericks, is guarded by Bronny James, #9 of the Los Angeles Lakers, in the first half of a 2025 NBA Summer League game at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada.  (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Ryan Nembhard gave Dallas the lead with 1:03 to go on a three-pointer assisted by Flagg - seconds after Flagg swatted away a shot from L.A.'s DJ Steward. Los Angeles called a timeout, and they brought in James.

Los Angeles got fouled but missed both free-throws. Flagg then attempted to increase the lead with 15 seconds left but missed his shot.

James then tried for the game-winner, but missed, and the Mavs were able to come away with the victory.

Flagg struggled from the floor, scoring just 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, with six of those points coming in a 90-second span in the first quarter. He grabbed six rebounds, handed out four assists, and had three steals and a block in 32 minutes played. His first bucket, though, was a thunderous slam on a coast-to-coast.

"I couldn’t really get into a rhythm, it’s a different environment, obviously very different from college, it’s probably very different from what the real NBA is gonna be