in

Cooper Flagg, LeBron James' future highlight biggest takeaways from Las Vegas Summer League

LAS VEGAS — The opening weekend of the 2025 Las Vegas Summer League was packed with energy, rising stars and key rookie debuts. Here are the early takeaways from Vegas that set the tone for the week ahead.

Cooper Flagg flashes star power

Cooper Flagg’s Summer League debut offered a compelling glimpse into his all-around game and sky-high potential. Dallas quickly shut him down, but in two appearances the No. 1 draft pick showed his versatility, operating as the primary option for the Mavericks. Whether playmaking or scoring, his performances were anchored by elite defense and athleticism.

Advertisement

In Game 1, the Mavericks challenged Flagg to run the offense. He impressed as a point-forward, recording 10 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and a block. There was potential for more, and despite facing pressure from 94 feet and half-court traps, Flagg remained composed. The shot wasn’t falling (he shot 5-of-21 from the field), but his feel for the game, vision and defensive instincts stood out.

All of the “Flagg is overrated” haters were silenced in Game 2. It was a scoring showcase, with Flagg pouring in 31 points (10-of-21 shooting), hitting 3s and relentlessly attacking the rim. Twenty of his 31 points came from the paint or charity stripe, a stark difference from Game 1. The Mavericks couldn’t buy a bucket, so seeing Flagg adjust from the primary creator to a three-level scorer was exciting.

With two versatile outings, Flagg proved he’s more than hype — he’s an NBA-ready player with a two-way game built for the modern league.

Advertisement

LeBron James quietly makes his presence felt

And then there was the rare appearance from LeBron James, who turned heads simply by being courtside in Las Vegas.

source

Member of Michael Jackson's 'Second Family' Allegedly Extorting His Estate for $213 Million

Air India CEO hits back after prelim report suggests deadly crash was caused by pilot error