Cooper Flagg Interview After 31-Point Game in Dallas Mavericks Loss vs. San Antonio Spurs in Vegas

Cooper Flagg Interview After 31-Point Game in Dallas Mavericks Loss vs. San Antonio Spurs in Vegas

Well, Cooper, with two games under your belt now, how more comfortable did you feel out there in the second game? Uh, yeah. I mean, I definitely felt a little more comfortable. Um, it was a different, you know, paced game, but they were still, you know, being physical, picking up 94. Um, I mean, they did a really good job of just, you know, pressuring us and getting us out of our actions. Um, so that was a little tough. You know, we had to try and figure out our spacing and actually we wanted to get into, but they did a good job. 31 points for you. How did you find a rhythm? They came out strong defensively. Uh, I mean, yeah, just just trusting all the work. Um, you know, taking a lot of the same shots I took last game. Uh, just trusting, you know, I got to the line a little bit better today. Um, still missed a bunch of free throws. You know, I know my mom probably wasn’t very happy with that, but um, you know, just trying to get to the free throw line, get get some stuff early, get to the rim. Um, you know, I just just trusted all the work. You know, the same shots, nothing different. Um, I know what I can do. Coach pointed out you’ve only had three turnovers so far. You faced a ton of ball pressure. How would you evaluate your ball handling? Yeah, I think I’ve been solid. Um, I think I’m exhausted. You know, I’m not not used to bringing the ball up like that and, you know, every time I’m getting the ball fullourt has somebody on my hip, you know, playing 94 ft. So, definitely not used to that, but I think I did a a solid job of, you know, bringing up against pressure and trying to set up our different actions for sure. Going off that, what is your comfort level at the point guard position? Yeah, I think like I said, I think I was pretty solid. Um, I think I was able to, you know, show that I can handle the ball against pressure and bring it up. Um, so it just depend on, you know, different matchups and what coach wants to see. But I think I did a solid job for sure. How are you feeling the pressure and or expectations of being a rookie in the NBA summer league this year? Uh, I think just trusting myself. You know, I’ve been through all this before, you know, same thing going into college, same expectations, same people talking about you. So, it’s just trusting the work, trusting, you know, all those hours. Um, just knowing, you know, what I can do and, um, just getting to the same stuff, um, that that I’ve been doing. You face a lot of hard times. involvement. Saw a lot of your primary defender today. From that point you saw him in college to where he is now. What did you see from him in that match up today? Yeah, I mean Carter’s, you know, he’s an incredible player. He’s a he’s a really good, you know, person as well. You know, I love Carter. Um, you know, he’s really lengthy. He plays really good defense. I mean, he he didn’t look tired at all the whole game. He was picking me up 94. You know, I was definitely feeling a little bit gassed, but I mean, he was just there, you know, playing great defense, you know, the whole way. Physical. Um, he’s really long. Um, so he can play really good defense with his length, but um, he’s a great player offensively. I think he has a lot of a lot more to show and and he’ll get into that. Um, he’ll hit shots, he’ll do what he has to do. He’s a great player. So, I know Carter’s going to keep getting better. How’s your mental preparation different considering your new role? I wouldn’t say the mental preparation is any different. You know, it’s same stuff. Trusting your work, trusting the hours, um, knowing what you can do. Um, and just keeping it simple. Um, you know, I trusted all the guys in the team. So, it’s just about, you know, playing off each other and figuring out our best spacing and trying to get into the right actions for the person that we have on the court. You mentioned that grouping that it felt weird taking 21 shots almost the same day. Does it feel any more normal now? Is it something you feel like you can get accustomed to? No, I mean it’s just just feels different. Um, I think, you know, it’s a it’s a new environment, new setting. You know, they want to see me be aggressive and do that type of stuff. So, um, I was trying my best to just be aggressive and assert myself early, um, get to the line. I think I did that a lot better today of just getting to the line, getting fouled, and that helped me to get comfortable and get settled. Cooper, you’re obviously at the beginning of your NBA career right now, but I’m sure you’ve been dreaming about this moment for a while. You picture the scope of your career like at the very height of what you want to accomplish, like what are you imagining, dreaming about as far as that? Uh, I mean, I’m not getting too far ahead of myself. Um, you know, I haven’t really thought about that too much. You know, I’m kind of just focused on, you know, each individual day just trying to get better. Um, I know I have a really long way to go and a lot to improve on. So, I’m not really worried about, you know, too far down the road. I’m just, you know, trying to be focused on getting better and working on the things I need to work on. After getting, have any of the vets reached out to you and gave you advice to make adjustments coming? Yeah, I mean, um, you see all the guys here on the sideline, you know, in support of us and whatnot. Um, I’ve been able to talk to them a little bit, you know, in passing. You know, they were came in after our practice yesterday to get some work in. So, I was able to talk to him a little bit. Cooper, what comes to mind when you hear the name Kaman Malawatch? You said what? What comes to mind when you hear the name Kaman Malawatch? I mean, I love Kaman. He’s like one of my best friends. So, um, he’s a great kid. Um, he’s a great player, too. You know, he’s very versatile. He’ll do a lot in the court. Um, and I watched his game last night. I thought he was really good. Just trying to settle in. Um, I think he showed he could he can shoot the shoot the three consistently and um, he’ll be confident shooting that and shots will fall. Um, but, you know, he’s just a great kid and, you know, I think he’s going to be very successful. He’s only been playing for four years, so you know, he has a long way to go, but um I think he’s going to be really successful. When guys are being physical like that with you, how do you decide when to attack you kind of Yeah, it’s just it’s just figuring out the flow of the game. Um trying to see the spacing of the guys on your team and whatnot and their defenders, where the gaps are. Um you just got to try and use their use their pressure against them. I mean, he was picking up 94 the whole game. So just trying to pick spots um when I can get by him and you know try to get downhill and create for my team. All right.

Dallas Mavericks No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg breaks down his 31-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA 2K26 Summer League. Flagg discusses his mindset, handling physical defense, adjusting to the pace of the pro game, and facing off with Dylan Harper in a highly anticipated top-two pick matchup at Thomas & Mack Center.

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