Maine to the NBA: Check out the Highlights from Cooper Flagg’s Debut

It may not have been the result anyone was looking for, but it was still a sight to see. The “Maine Event” is officially underway.

Newport native and basketball phenom Cooper Flagg made his NBA debut with the Dallas Mavericks last night as his squad opened the regular season against the San Antonio Spurs. Fans from Maine, Duke University, and across the country finally got to see Flagg in action against NBA superstars — in a game that counted.

Flagg finished with a double-double in a game where the Spurs absolutely dominated from early on. The final score was 125–92, San Antonio. The 2023 No. 1 pick, Victor Wembanyama, led the way with 40 points.

As for Flagg, the rookie tallied 10 points on just 4-of-13 shooting from the field. That included a missed alley-oop dunk right at the start of the game — a play that would have absolutely brought the house down. However, his shooting improved as the game went on and he grew more comfortable.

How Did Cooper Flagg do in his First Game?

Flagg also grabbed 10 boards to secure that double-double in his debut, which is certainly an impressive feat. Still, his performance was overshadowed by the Spurs’ incredible play — especially Wembanyama, who is likely to be in the MVP discussion this year.

In an ESPN article, Flagg characterized his game as “not great,��� but said he won’t let it bother him. He went on to add, “...we’ve got to move past it, turn our focus, and start looking toward Friday.” That’s when Flagg and the Mavs will be back on the court to take on the Washington Wizards.

Flagg was the first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft, following an outstanding season at Duke, where he helped lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Now, he’s expected to be a major asset for a team desperate for a new face of the franchise after trading away its best player, Luka Dončić, last season. It will be exciting to see how he integrates into a roster featuring veteran stars Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, D’Angelo Russell, and Kyrie Irving (when he returns from an ACL tear later this year).

READ MORE: Maine’s Portland Hearts of Pine Are Playoff Bound in Debut Season

When is Cooper Flagg's Next Game?

The Mavs host the Wizards on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. The game will be televised locally; fans outside the market will need NBA League Pass to watch.