Cooper Flagg scores 31 in duel with Dylan Harper, Carter Bryant

LAS VEGAS- In a battle that featured three 2025 lottery picks, the anticipation didn’t outweigh the on-court manufacturing.

The No. 1 total decide Cooper Flagg performed a lot better than he did in opposition to the Lakers on Thursday, which was a welcomed sight for Dallas followers. He completed with a game-high 31 factors within the Mavericks’ 76-69 loss to the Spurs on Saturday. Flagg continued to facilitate properly, however he solely ended up with one help after having 4 in opposition to the Lakers, and he was as soon as once more impactful on the defensive finish.

Regardless of a dramatic soar in scoring, it by no means felt like Flagg was forcing pictures, which Mavericks coach Josh Broghamer was complimentary of.

“I believe he simply continues to make the best performs,” Broghamer mentioned. “Whether or not it’s drive by the man who’s pressuring him or, we used him a bit of bit extra as a curler and off the ball a few occasions, simply to form of get him some simpler catches… However once more, he simply continues to make the best performs and do the best issues.”

Flagg’s two-way impression was on full show on the finish of the third quarter. He drove by means of the center of the paint and dunked the ball with a number of seconds left and adopted that up by blocking a last-second three-point try.

Although Flagg shot way more effectively, life nonetheless wasn’t straightforward for him, particularly early on. Carter Bryant, who San Antonio chosen with the No. 14 decide within the draft, was a giant cause for that. He matched up with Flagg nearly each single time they had been each on the ground, and his defensive skill that made him a lottery decide was evident.

When Flagg wasn’t on the ground, Bryant spent a number of possessions guarding Ryan Nembhard. There’s a big distinction between guarding an undrafted, six-foot guard and a 6’9” ahead that was taken with the primary decide, however Bryant was efficient in each roles. He has the upside to be an elite defender within the NBA from day one, although he does have a tendency to seek out himself in foul hassle. He had 4 fouls in 27 minutes in opposition to Dallas, and he averaged 4.3 fouls per 36 minutes as a freshman at Arizona final season.

Bryant didn’t have a lot success on the opposite finish, lacking all seven of his shot makes an attempt. Nevertheless, he wasn’t bothered by his poor taking pictures efficiency.

“The shot’s gonna fall, and the shot’s not gonna fall,” Bryant mentioned. “On the finish of the day, I’ve been taking pictures the basketball the identical precise method since I’ve been 4 or 5 years previous. It’s gonna fall, I imagine I’m gonna be probably the greatest shooters on this league. You recognize, an 0-for-7 efficiency, I believe I shot like 1-for-6 within the final recreation, like that’s not gonna outline what I’m as a basketball participant. So, having the ability to produce other issues to fall again on, to have the ability to have an effect on the sport positively outdoors of constructing pictures and scoring the basketball is simply my foremost focus.”

After all, Dylan Harper, who San Antonio added with the second decide final month, made his Summer time League debut after lacking their first 4 video games with a minor groin harm. He performed rather less than 20 minutes, which was by design. There was no cause to make him play heavy minutes in an exhibition recreation.

Throughout his time on the ground, he was efficient on each ends. Harper completed with 16 factors, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block within the win. He displayed the power to create pictures for each himself and others, which was why he was drafted so early. Nevertheless, his defensive manufacturing stood out.

“I believe should you don’t play protection, you’re not going to have the ability to play on the court docket,” Harper mentioned. “So, simply making an attempt my finest, simply studying new stuff, learn how to go over screens, guard the ball, stuff like that. It’s undoubtedly an space I look to develop and simply carry on getting higher at.”

Bryant was complimentary of Harper’s block, saying “he appeared like me a bit of bit.”

The long run mixture of Harper and Bryant on the perimeter is frightening sufficient, however having Victor Wembanyama sitting behind them as properly goes to make this crew fairly troublesome to attain on, particularly within the playoffs.

Harper additionally was efficient as the first ball handler and in an off-ball function. On a crew that additionally has De’Aaron Fox and Stephon Fort, it’s encouraging to see Harper make an impression in a task that he might play lots throughout his rookie yr.

The most effective a part of this for followers is that the Mavericks and Spurs will face off no less than 4 occasions each season, so this entertaining matchup might turn into probably the greatest divisional rivalries within the league over the following few years.

“It was a superb recreation,” Harped mentioned about his matchup with Flagg. “I had a superb recreation. We form of simply confirmed the NBA world what we’re about… I imply, we’re going to play him lots this yr. So, I imply, the long run battles are going to be nice.”