5 Key Moments from Mavs-Spurs: Cooper Flagg Shines vs. Dylan Harper

Mavericks Face Setback in Summer League, but Flagg Shines

In a closely contested match during the NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, the Dallas Mavericks fell to the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 76-69. This was the second game for the Mavericks in the summer league, and while the result wasn’t what they hoped for, several players showed promise.

Cooper Flagg's Strong Performance

Cooper Flagg led the Mavericks with a standout performance, scoring a game-high 31 points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out one assist. His effort marked a significant improvement from his previous game, where he described it as one of the worst of his life. Flagg’s explosive play was evident throughout the game, especially in the second half when he caught two alley oops, showcasing his potential as a key player for the Mavericks.

In the final moments of the third quarter, Flagg executed a powerful one-handed tomahawk dunk after beating David Jones-Garcia off the dribble. He finished the game with four dunks, highlighting his athleticism and ability to make an impact whenever the opportunity arose. Flagg also improved his shooting percentage from beyond the arc, connecting on three of nine attempts after missing all five of his shots from that range in the previous game.

Despite the loss, Flagg’s ability to bounce back was a positive sign for the team. His confidence and decisiveness on the court were evident, and his performance gave fans a glimpse of what to expect from him next season.

Flagg vs. Harper: A New Rivalry?

The game also featured a matchup between the first and second overall picks from the draft. Flagg, the consensus top pick, faced off against Dylan Harper, the Spurs’ selection from Rutgers. Harper made his debut in this game after missing the first two games of the California Classic due to a minor groin injury.

Harper contributed 16 points, six rebounds, and two assists, displaying his athleticism with a memorable one-handed block on Ryan Nembhard in the second quarter. Although the matchup didn’t generate the same level of excitement as some other games, it hinted at a potential rivalry between the Mavericks and Spurs.

Flagg's Free Throw Efforts

One of Flagg’s notable efforts was his focus on getting to the free throw line. After only attempting one free throw in the previous game, he was more assertive in this match. His first points came from a layup after being fouled, although he missed the free throw. He ended the game with 8-of-13 from the free throw line, acknowledging his five misses afterward.

“Still missed a bunch of free throws and I know my mom probably wasn’t very happy with that, but just trying to get to the free throw line and get some stuff early,” Flagg said.

His ability to draw fouls and get to the line will be valuable for the Mavericks, who ranked sixth in the NBA in free throw attempts last season.

Miles Kelly Makes an Impact

Another standout performer for the Mavericks was two-way guard Miles Kelly, who scored 11 points in the game. Kelly hit two three-pointers, continuing his strong performance from the previous game where he made three threes against the Lakers.

When asked about his confidence with the NBA 3-point line, Kelly responded with characteristic flair, saying, “I feel like I’m the most confident individual in this world so it doesn’t matter if I go 0-for-10 or 5-for-5, I’m shooting like I’m hot.”

Melvin Ajinca Misses Another Game

Melvin Ajinca, the 51st pick in the 2024 draft, did not play in his second consecutive game due to a groin injury. He was present for the team’s shootaround on Thursday but didn’t see any action against the Lakers or the Spurs. The Mavericks have no scheduled practice on Sunday, so Ajinca’s next chance to play could come in the game against Charlotte on Monday.

Looking Ahead

While the Mavericks may have fallen short in this game, the performances of Flagg and Kelly offer hope for the future. With continued development and opportunities, the team is on track to build a competitive roster for the upcoming season.