The highly anticipated duel between the first and second picks in the 2025 NBA Draft took place and was delivered at Thomas & Mac Center in Las Vegas. Despite the performance of 31 points Cooper Flag That’s what the Dallas Mavericks did. Dylan Harper The San Antonio Spurs claimed early bragging rights in a 76-69 Spurs victory.
Flagg’s 31-point explosion isn’t enough
Cooper Flag, the Mavericks’ No. 1 overall draft pick, showed why he was selected first. He dropped 31 points leading the summer league in 10/10 of 21, including three threes, adding four rebounds and a block, and played 31 minutes of impact basketball.
After his quiet debut, where he scored just 10 points, Flag came out offensively and dominated the stats sheet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4sw1sapx6u
Harper’s efficient and all-around game wins
Harper scored 16 points in just 20 minutes off the bench and shot 5-12 from the field. He also provided six rebounds, two assists, two steels and a block while controlling the tempo of the game.
The Spurs leaned against Harper’s calm and timely score to keep Dallas late surges. San Antonio built an early lead and endured Flagg’s third quarter score to secure the victory.
“That’s a bit of hyped for me to play basketball,” Harper said after the game. “He had a good game. I had a good game. We kind of showed the NBA world what we were doing.”
Game dynamics based on numbers
- Spurs Balance: Harper was the only starter in the double figure, but guard David Jones Garcia led the Spurs with 21 points off the bench.
- Dependency on Mavericks Flag: Flag earned almost half of Dallas’ total points. The next highest scorer was Miles Kelly, 11.
- Game Controls: Dallas closed with a 21-12 run in the third quarter, but Harper’s calm and Spurs’ defense closed it.
Flag takeout
Despite the losses, Flagg showed significant improvements from his debut. His ability to hit shots from all three levels and defend multiple positions reaffirmed why he was the top pick. He took on some major ball handling responsibilities during the game.
“I’m more comfortable,” Flag said after the game. “I knew I had to be more aggressive after the first game. I felt better today, but I also wanted to win.”
Harper’s impact beyond box score
His minutes were limited, but Harper’s influence was fully felt. His defensive positioning, passing transitions, and ability to create space under pressure helped Maverick stabilize the Spurs with every push.
Spurs Summer League coach Mike Noyes praised Harper’s performance.
Media reaction
There was a lot to say to the basketball media after the showdown. CBS Sports was recently called one of the most electric rookie matchups in league history. ESPN praised Flagg’s bounceback performance, highlighting Harper’s efficient statistical line and calmness.
One of the post-game headlines read: “The flags are shining, but Harper wins.” It reflected a general consensus – Flag filled the highlight reels, but Harper made a winning play.
Player comparison: First head to head
| player | team | Min | point | rebound | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooper Flag | Mavericks | 31 | 31 | 4 | 3 threes, 1 block |
| Dylan Harper | spur | 20 | 16 | 6 | 2 assists, 2 steel, 1 block |
What does that mean in the future?
Harper’s performance boosts his case for his crucial role in San Antonio’s rotation as the regular season begins. His ability to produce efficiently in short stints is essential behind the start backcourts, including Tre Jones and Devin Vassell.
For Dallas, Flaggg showed a flash of potential for a superstar. The team struggled with sales and depth, but the creation and confidence of Flag’s shots were hugely positive. His two-way possibilities remain elite, and it appears that the Mavericks coach is eager to raise responsibility for him.
Fan reactions and social topics
Social media was lit up with highlights including a third quarter Flagg transition dunk and Harper’s No-look Assist to Jones-Garcia. Fans of X compared side by side to debate general discussions of people with better games, namely statistical monsters or floors.
One popular comment was, “The flag had numbers. Harper had a W. If this is the future of the league, we all won.”
Looking ahead
The Mavericks will then face the Charlotte Hornets and Rookie Concnupel, with the Spurs matching the Utah Jazz. Both teams are expected to continue their rotation and chemistry development before the summer league ends.
As for Harper and Flagg, this was just a round of what could become a multi-year rivalry between the two most promising players in the 2025 draft class.
Final Thoughts
Flagg’s 31-point breakout proved he had an elite scoring instinct. However, Harper’s poised and efficient game ultimately led to team victory, leaving a strong first impression on both fans and scouts.
It’s too early to draw a big conclusion, but one thing is for sure, the next generation of the NBA are ready to compete.
