Why isn’t Cooper Flagg playing against the Hornets in the Summer League today?
After playing two games for new team the Dallas Mavericks in the Summer League, Flagg won’t be involved any further in Las Vegas.
No. 1 Draft pick Cooper Flagg won’t be involved in the Dallas Mavericks’ Summer League game against the Charlotte Hornets today, after the Mavs opted to pull the 18-year-old off their roster for the off-season event.
Flagg out despite recovering from debut struggles
Flagg made his Summer League debut against the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday, producing an unconvincing display that he described as possibly “one of the worst games of my life”.
In Dallas’s 87-85 win over the Lakers, the former Duke Blue Devils forward finished up with just 5-of-21 from the field as he registered 10 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block.
Flagg then bounced back with a stronger showing in the Mavericks’ 76-69 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, scoring 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting. He also contributed four rebounds, an assist and a block.
“Exhausted”
However, in news first reported by the NBA insider Marc Stein, the Mavericks have opted against giving any more Summer League game time to a player who confessed to feeling “exhausted” after the Spurs win.
Speaking to reporters in Las Vegas, Flagg said it had been an effort to adjust to playing an unfamiliar role within the Dallas team, as Mavs head coach Jason Kidd had tasked him with initiating attacks.
“I’m not used to bringing the ball up like that, every time I’m getting the ball full court and have somebody on my hip,” the teenager said, per Clutch Points’ Joey Mistretta. “I’m definitely not used to that, but I think I did a solid job of bringing it up against pressure and setting up different actions.”
Hornets vs Mavericks: when, where, how to watch?
The Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks face off today, Monday July 14, 2025. Tip-off at Thomas & Mack Center is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
Viewers in the U.S. can watch the Hornets vs the Mavericks on NBA TV, and on the local networks KFAA and Southeast Charlotte. You can stream NBA TV online on fubo, which offers new users a free trial.
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