By JAMES COHEN
Published: 10:03 EDT, 14 July 2025 | Updated: 10:05 EDT, 14 July 2025
The Dallas Mavericks are shutting down Cooper Flagg for the remainder of the NBA Summer League, according to reports.
Fans were treated to their first look at Flagg as a Maverick on Thursday after he made his debut for the franchise in a win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Following that, Flagg - the No.1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft - returned to the court on Saturday where he scored 31 points against the San Antonio Spurs.
And, for Dallas, that's more than enough. Reports now claim that the 18-year-old will be shut down for the remainder of the summer.
ESPN confirmed that Dallas are looking to protect their prized rookie and preserve him for the regular season.
Speaking after their loss to the Spurs, Flagg said: 'I think it's a new environment, new setting. They want to see me be aggressive and do that type of stuff.
The Dallas Mavericks are shutting down Cooper Flagg for the rest of the NBA Summer League
Flagg featured twice for Dallas last week but will play no further part in the summer games
'I think I did that a lot better today, just getting to the line, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfortable and get settled in early. Still missed a bunch of free throws. I know my mom probably wasn't very happy with that.'
Flagg shot 10-for-21 against during the 76-69 loss to the Spurs as he bounced back from a struggling debut against the Lakers just a few nights prior.
The teenager scored just 10 points - after going 5-for-21 - in his Dallas debut.
Flagg became the first white American to be taken first-overall in the NBA draft in 48 years after being selected by the Mavericks last month.
It was hardly shocking that the Mavericks made this move after Flagg's impressive college displays saw him named National Player of the Year.
Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine , was regarded as one of the clearest-cut first-overall pick since Victor Wembanyama and the most obvious American first-overall pick since fellow Duke star Zion Williamson in 2019.
Unfortunately for Flagg, he missed Duke's final shot of the game to blow a massive lead to Houston and failed to advance to the national title game.
Flagg became the first white American player taken first in the NBA Draft in 48 years
Months after that loss, the Mavericks won the lottery under dubious circumstances - with many conspiracy theories popping up after Dallas was victorious despite a 1.8 percent chance of taking the top pick.
His arrival gives new hope to a Mavericks team and fanbase still reeling from the Luka Doncic trade back in February.
Losing Doncic led to the Mavs missing out of the playoffs and many Dallas fans calling for Harrison to be fired.
Now, Flagg will form an elite trio with Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis.
Dallas MavericksBronny James