The highly anticipated duel was held at the Thomas & Mike Center in Las Vegas and delivered. Despite the performance of 31 points Cooper Flag In the Dallas Mavericks, that’s Dylan Harper In the San Antonio Spurs, early bragging rights were seized in a 76-69 Spurs victory.
Flag’s 31-point outbreak is not enough
Mavericks’ No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg showed why he was selected first. He dropped a summer league-leading 31 points in 10 goals of 21, including threes, added four rebounds and a block, and played 31 minutes of high-impact basketball.
After his calm debut, he scored only 10 points, Flagg showed aggressiveness and dominated the statistics table, even if the Mavericks ended up falling short.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4SW1SAPX6U
Harper won the efficient, all-around game
Harper scored 16 points in just 20 minutes on the bench and made 5 of 12 shots from the court. He also contributed six rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block while controlling the pace of the game.
The Spurs rely on Harper’s calmness and timely scoring to stop the late Dallas surge. San Antonio built an early lead and stuck with Flagg’s third-quarter scoring run to secure a victory.
“It’s as hype as I play basketball in the game,” Harper said after the game. “His game is great. My game is great. We just showed the NBA world what we mean.”
Digital gaming power
- Spurs balance: Harper was the only doubles starter, while guard David Jones-Garcia led the Spurs on the bench with 21 points.
- Mavericks’ dependence on Flag: Flagg scored nearly half of the points. The second highest score for the scorer is Miles Kelly 11 years old.
- Game Control: Dallas beat the game 21-12 in the third quarter, but Harper’s balance and Spurs’ defense closed it.
Flag’s harvest
Despite the loss, Flag’s debut showed a significant improvement. His ability to hit the ball from all three levels and defend multiple positions reiterates why he is the best option. During the game, he even took on some major ball handling responsibilities.
“I’ve become more comfortable,” he said after the game. “I know I have to be more aggressive after the first game. It feels much better today, but I also want to win.”
Harper’s influence goes beyond the box score
Despite his limited minutes, Harper’s influence is felt comprehensively. His defensive positioning, transition through, and ability to create space under pressure help stabilize the Spurs.
Spurs summer league coach Mike Noyes praised Harper for his performance: “We know he’s ready.
Media Response
After the showdown, the basketball media had a lot to say. CBS Sports calls it one of the most electric rookie matchups in recent summer league history. ESPN praised Flagg’s rebound performance while highlighting Harper’s effective statistics line and calmness.
A post-match title reads: “Flagg shines, but Harper wins.” It reflects the general consensus – Flagg is full of highlights, but Harper wins.
Player comparison: first face to face
| Player | team | minute | point | Rebound | notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Flag | calf | 31 | 31 | 4 | 3 three points, 1 block |
| Dylan Harper | Spurs | 20 | 16 | 6 | 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block |
what does that mean
Once the regular season begins, Harper’s performance improves his case of playing an important role in the San Antonio rotation. His ability to produce effectively in a short period of time may be crucial after starting backcourts including Tre Jones and Devin Vassell.
For Dallas, Flag showed a flash of superstar potential. Despite the team’s struggles with turnovers and depth, Flag’s shot creation and confidence were the main positive results. His two-way potential remains elite, and Coach Mavericks seems eager to take on growing responsibilities.
Fans’ reactions and social buzz
Social media lights up with highlights, including Flag’s transition dunk in the third quarter and Harper’s ineffective aid to Jones Garcia. Fans on X compare side by side and debate who has the better match: Stat Monster or Floor General.
A popular comment read: “Frager has numbers. Harper has W. If this is the future of the league, we all win.”
Looking to the future
The Mavericks will next face the Charlotte Hornets and rookie Kon Knueppel, while the Spurs will play against the Utah Jazz. Both teams are expected to continue developing rotations and chemistry before the end of the summer league.
As for Harper and Flag, it’s just a round of years of competition between the two most promising players in the 2025 draft class.
The final thought
Flag’s 31-point breakthrough proves his instinct to have elite scores. But Harper’s fulfilling and efficient game ended up winning the team and impressed the fans and the Scouts.
While it’s too early to draw a major conclusion, it’s certain that the next generation of the NBA is ready to play.
