Flagg also nailed a turnaround jumper and posted up Bronny James in an eventful opening quarter vs. the Lakers.
The 28-year-old Booker has been one of the NBA’s best shooting guards, earning four All-Star appearances in 10 NBA seasons.
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The CEO who never was: how Linda Yaccarino was set up to fail at Elon Musk’s X | X
In May 2023, when Linda Yaccarino, an NBC advertising executive, joined what was then still known as Twitter, she was given a tall order: repair the company’s relationship with advertisers after a chaotic year of being owned by Elon Musk. But just weeks after she became CEO, Musk posted an antisemitic tweet that drove away major brands like Disney, Paramount, NBCUniversal, Comcast, Lionsgate and Warner Bros Discovery to pause their advertising on the platform. Musk delivered an apology for the tweet later at a conference – which he called the worst post he’s ever done – but it came with a message to advertisers, specifically the Disney CEO Bob Iger: “Go fuck yourselves”. Yaccarino was in the audience of the conference.
“I don’t want them to advertise,” he said. “If someone is going to blackmail me with advertising or money, go fuck yourself. Go. Fuck. Yourself,” he said. “Is that clear? Hey Bob, if you’re in the audience, that’s how I feel.”
In the two years since, Yaccarino has had to contend with the unpredictability of Musk, ongoing content moderation and hate speech issues on the platform, increasingly strained relationships with advertisers and widespread backlash her boss received for his role in Donald Trump’s administration. Her response in some cases was to remain silent; in others, she chose to defend the company. Through it all, however, experts say it was clear Yaccarino was the chief executive in title only.
“The reality is that Elon Musk is and always has been at the helm of X,” said Mike Proulx, research director at Forrester VP. “It was clear from the start that she was being set up to fail by a limited scope as the company’s chief executive. Her background and actual authority positioned her more as the company’s chief advertising officer, rather than its CEO.”
Even in her de facto role as a chief advertising officer, Musk’s incessant posting, impulsive decision making and obsession with X and other platforms becoming too “woke” posed huge obstacles for Yaccarino.
“The only thing that’s surprising about Linda Yaccarino’s resignation is that it didn’t come sooner,” said Proulx.
This week alone, Grok, the AI chatbot integrated with X, posted several antisemitic remarks, including some praising Hitler, after the company included new guidelines for the chatbot. In guidelines xAI published, Grok had been instructed not to “shy away from making claims which are politically incorrect, as long as they are well substantiated”. xAI removed that guideline from its code on Tuesday evening.
Yaccarino’s tenure as CEO of X was not only bookended with antisemitism scandals – Musk’s and Grok’s offensive tweets – but was also punctuated with several accusations of antisemitism against her boss throughout her short stint. In 2023, the non-profit watchdog Center for Countering Digital Hate published a report on the prevalence of hate speech, both antisemitic and otherwise, on X as well as the lack of moderation. The company’s response was to sue the organization; the suit was ultimately dismissed. Similarly, the non-profit Media Matters for America highlighted the appearance of pro-Nazi tweets alongside branded advertisements in a report that preceded a mass advertiser exodus from the social network. X sued Media Matters.
Most notably, Musk was accused of doing back-to-back Nazi salutes at a Trump inauguration rally at the start of 2025. Musk brushed aside the allegations that it was a Nazi salute and posted several Nazi puns on X. At the time, Yaccarino provided no additional comment, but posted a laughing face emoji in response to Musk’s jokes. Musk’s salute and the ensuing backlash was one of several moments that solidified the overall rightward shift of the social network as droves of users began to flock to alternative platforms like Bluesky and even Reddit communities began banning X links.
Promises of an X revitalization
When Yaccarino joined X, she set about courting celebrities and partnerships to reinvigorate the social network’s brand and repair relationships that Musk’s contentious takeover had damaged. Musk had long talked of making X into an “everything app” that would integrate payments, AI, messaging, livestreaming, and other new features alongside the social network’s public posting, another task given to Yaccarino.
Yaccarino led a delegation of executives, including Musk himself, to meet with industry leaders at the Cannes Lions festival in 2023, and began seeking media figures who could feature on the platform.
after newsletter promotion
One of Yaccarino’s moves toward making the platform into what she described as a “global town square” was reaching out to the former CNN host Don Lemon to start a show on X, much as the former Fox News host Tucker Carlson had agreed to put his content on site. Lemon’s first interview for the platform was with Musk, in what was intended to be a showcase of how X was shifting and bringing in big-name creators. The plan backfired after Lemon’s interview with Musk grew heated over questions about the billionaire’s drug use, which was quickly followed by Musk telling Lemon’s agent that his contract was canceled. Future shows with big-name creators never materialized.
In the ensuing two years, rather than become a destination for mainstream talent, a streaming powerhouse or the “everything app” that Yaccarino promoted, X has largely become a megaphone for Musk to air his grievances, boost and then feud with Trump, and promote his companies. Far-right influencers, porn spambots and meme accounts proliferate, while many media outlets have deprioritized the platform or left it altogether. Misinformation and extremism are rampant, sometimes coming from Musk himself.
The day before Yaccarino resigned, X became involved in a scandal that epitomized much of what the platform has become. Musk had recently posted that he would be reconfiguring xAI’s chatbot, Grok, because he did not agree with the responses it was generating. On Tuesday, users noticed that the chatbot had begun to reply to queries with blatantly antisemitic posts praising Nazi ideology. A flood of users began posting more screenshots of Grok posting rape fantasies, identifying itself as “MechaHitler” and promoting conspiracies before the company removed the posts.
Incidents like Grok’s foray into Nazism are some of the many reasons Yaccarino’s goal of revitalizing X has sputtered. Although she succeeded in courting a number of major companies to begin advertising again last year, at a time when Musk’s connections to the White House were strongest, the platform’s ad revenues have never reached anywhere near their pre-Musk era, according to research firm Emarketer. The platform also resorted to threats of lawsuits against major companies such as Verizon if they did not buy advertising on the site, according to a Wall Street Journal report that Yaccarino has denied.
After more than two years of Yaccarino running damage control for her boss and the platform’s myriad of issues, Musk issued only a brief statement acknowledging she was stepping down.
“Thank you for your contributions,” Musk responded to Yaccarino’s post announcing her resignation. Minutes later, he began sending replies to other posts about SpaceX, artificial intelligence and how his chatbot became a Nazi.
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LAS VEGAS — The Cooper Flagg era unofficially began Thursday night when the Dallas Mavericks opened the Las Vegas Summer League with an 87-85 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.
Here are five observations from Flagg’s debut in Thursday’s win over the Lakers:
Center of attention: Flagg vs. James
Thomas & Mack Center drew a nearly full arena that was full of people waiting to see Flagg match up with Lakers sophomore guard Bronny James.
It was apparent from the moment the jump ball went in favor of the Mavericks that the anticipation was already pent up among both teams. Flagg received the ball and the Lakers sent two defenders to double-team him immediately, almost as if they knew the Mavericks’ first play of the game.
Flagg drew attention early, but James had a quick start that resulted in the first five points for the Lakers. James drilled a smooth step-back from the midrange over Flagg to open scoring for both teams. He followed that up with a triple as Flagg went under a screen. James finished with eight points, two rebounds and two assists on 2-of-8 shooting from the field.
The two headliners guarded each other several times throughout the game. Flagg posted James up on three consecutive possessions in the second quarter, sparking oohs and aahs from the crowd. James managed to cleanly poke the ball away from Flagg on the second post-up attempt, but a foul was called and the fans inside the arena antagonized by the moment jeered. Flagg was successful on the third, as he drilled a midrange shot over LeBron James’ eldest son.
James had a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter, but missed a hesitation 3-pointer as the final buzzer expired.
Flagg finished with 10 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals in 31 minutes of action.
Flagg’s second wind
Flagg went to the bench after the first timeout of the game to catch a quick breather after missing his first two shots. His brightest moment of the game occurred a minute later as he made several high-impact plays upon checking back into the game.
The Mavericks rookie came up with a steal and took the ball the length of the court while outrunning two Lakers defenders before throwing down a one-handed dunk. He followed that up with a midrange shot he knocked down as he fell to the floor.
Flagg managed to show why he was the consensus top pick by showing his versatile skill set. He defended well and managed to get over screens. He served as a viable playmaker. He rebounded. However, he didn’t shoot the ball well, finishing just 5-of-21 from the field.
It’s natural that Flagg could be rusty, considering it was his first official game since Duke was eliminated from the Final Four in March. That wasn’t an excuse for Flagg, who reflected on his performance after the game.
“I tried to be aggressive,” Flagg said. “That’s new for me. Honestly, that might be one of the worst games of my life, but we got the win so that’s what really matters to me.”
Point Flagg
After weeks of anticipation of what Flagg would look like in a point guard role, the basketball world received a glimpse of Mavericks coach Jason Kidd’s vision.
Flagg brought the ball up the court several times and managed to be successful with his handle, even when Lakers defenders tried to be physical. He was often picked up full court, but used his body to shield himself from defenders looking to steal the ball.
Late in the fourth quarter, Flagg drove into the paint, spun as if he was going to rise for a midrange shot and swung the ball to Maxwell Lewis in the corner for a clean 3-pointer. It was only his third assist, but an example of his high IQ on display.
Flagg is just 18 years old, but he showed poise initiating the offense and made smart passes, especially in transition. He had only one turnover, an impressive feat considering how much he had the ball in his hands. In fact, the Mavericks only turned the ball over nine times — an acceptable number after practicing only twice this week leading up to the opener.
“I was looking forward to it,” Flagg said. “Obviously being able to split some reps with Ryan [Nembhard] and share that with him. It was fun. It’s new for me bringing it up, having that full court pressure. I’m not in full game shape so I was tired … It was fun to experiment with some new things.”
It’s unclear how much point guard we’ll see Flagg run during the regular season, but he’ll be an option to use if Kidd wishes to.
Mavericks’ two-ways
Flagg wasn’t the only player who made an impression in Thursday’s game. Mavericks two-way guard Ryan Nembhard, who’s known as a playmaker, led the team in scoring with 21 points and five assists. Two-way guard Miles Kelly added 17 points, four rebounds and two assists.
Both players started alongside Flagg, Jamarion Sharp and Maxwell Lewis.
Nembhard gave the Mavericks a two-point lead with 59.1 seconds left after drilling a triple, assisted by Flagg. He knocked down several timely jumpers throughout the game and didn’t allow his 6-foot frame to hinder him from getting to his spots.
Blanket of support
There were several notable faces sitting courtside to take in the Mavericks’ summer league opener. Mavs Governor Patrick Dumont sat across from the Dallas bench. He was joined by a bevy of key members from the varsity group, including Kyrie Irving, P.J. Washington, Max Christie, Naji Marshall, Jaden Hardy and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
That group of Mavericks rose to their feet early in the second quarter when Flagg drilled a fadeaway shot from the baseline over the outstretched hands of James. Flagg showed his fiery spirit and appeared to yell toward his new teammates, celebrating the successful moment of competition against James.
“I definitely heard them. It was cool seeing them there and showing up in support of us,” Flagg said. “I didn’t really say anything. I just kind of looked at them. They were kind of saying stuff a couple of plays before. That was just a funny moment.”
Members of the front office and coaching staff were also present, including assistant general managers Michael Finley and Matt Riccardi, along with head coach Jason Kidd and new lead assistant coach Frank Vogel, plus other support staff. Minority shareholder Mark Cuban was also in attendance. General manager Nico Harrison was noticeably absent, but there was more than enough support from the franchise for the team’s first game in Las Vegas.
Highlights from Cooper Flagg’s summer league debut with the Mavericks 🎥💥🏀
Final line for the Mavs rookie:
10 points
6 rebounds
4 assists
3 steals
1 block
5-21 shooting(Via @NBA | #MFFL)pic.twitter.com/GQNDSG5T5Y
— SportsDay Mavs (@dmn_mavericks) July 11, 2025
X/Twitter: @MikeACurtis2
Find more Mavericks coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
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115+ best Prime Day deals LIVE: The best sales still available on Apple, Kindles, TVs and more
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Soothe sore muscles for less
I just bought this small but mighty massage gun for my parents — mind, I paid closer to full price — and they’ve been nothing short of obsessed. Offering five speeds, a long-lasting internal rechargeable battery, a comfortable design, and a variety of attachment heads, it’s a lot of massage gun for just $59. My favorite included accessory, of course, is the heated attachment, a real crowd-pleaser after an active day.
Rugged storage space never looked so sweet
Extra computer storage is something I can never get enough of, which is why I try to scoop up one of these reliable, rugged, and pocket-friendly Sandisk Solid State Drives (SSD) any time they drop significantly in price, i.e., during Amazon Prime Day sales. Not only does the 2TB option promise fast transfer speeds, a built-in carabiner loop, and a water, dust, and shock-resistant design, it’s also a massive $43% off for a limited time.
Get your build on
Get your build on. With this giant box of assorted Lego bricks — for a massive 57% off — the possibilities are endless. Also, I assure you that you don’t need to be a kid to enjoy everyone’s favorite interconnecting plastic bricks. I’m 37 years old and mess around with Lego bricks anytime I need a short break from the monotony of staring at a screen. Plus, this set doesn’t just include standard building bricks but wheels and axles, platform pieces, roof tiles, and so much more.
Our favorite smart ring is on sale
If you’ve been thinking about giving one of the best smart rings a try, well, I’ve got good news for you. Right now, you can pick up the Oura Ring 4 at its lowest price yet on Amazon.
Although it’s quite rare, we gave this smart ring a 5-star rating in our review thanks to its comfortable, all-titanium design, improved battery life and just how comprehensive the Oura app is. For those that want the health tracking and metrics of a smartwatch without the bulk, this could be the perfect alternative.
An ultra-portable Bluetooth speaker
The JBL Go 3 is the ideal Bluetooth speaker for traveling and outdoor adventures, especially at this Prime Day price. It’s IP67 waterproof and dustproof, and ultra-compact in size. But it still offers surprisingly strong sound and up to five hours of playback on a single battery charge.
The perfect beach bag
Why settle for a knock-off when you can get the original Bogg Bag for 20% off on Prime Day? This popular bag is lightweight, washable and durable which makes it ideal for the beach or at the pool.
While you’ll find some popular colors and sizes discounted on Amazon right now, you can save even more if you head to the Sale section on Bogg’s site.
Stay cool with this portable misting fan
There’s nothing like a breeze on a hot summer day but what about a cool breeze with a mist that you can take anywhere? Well, you can do exactly that with the Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo. You better act fast though as it’s close to selling out at 20% off for Prime Day.
Get your clean on
Spring cleaning has come and gone but you should always stock up on essential cleaning products when you get a chance and Prime Day is the perfect time to do so. From Bounty to Tide to my favorite, Mrs. Meyer’s, Amazon has tons of great deals on loads of cleaning products you were going to buy anyways. Here are a few that caught my eye:
Dyson’s new Airwrap gets first discount…
Attention! Dyson’s new Airwrap just got its very first discount. It’s $100 off, which is not bad for Dyson. My colleague Ashley Thieme has been reviewing and first spotted the deal. She says it smoothened her hair with ease and reduced frizz. It’s far from cheap at $499, but this is the kind of rare deal we may not see again until the holidays.
Hidden Prime Day gems
Did you know that Amazon has a hidden gem storefront with tons of ridiculously good deals? It’s called Amazon Haul — and right now, the store is offering massive savings on big-brand items, with up to 50% off. My colleague Millie Davis-Williams just rounded up a ton of great deals starting at the low price of $3. Check out her favorite deals here or shop some of the best affordable deals below.
Save up to 42% on Kindles
It’s usually easy to find Amazon hardware on sale, but Kindle deals are few and far between. Fortunately, Amazon is taking up to 42% off Kindles right now, including some of the best Kindles we’ve ever tested. Hit up the links below to see my favorite deals.
Bring the party anywhere…
One of the best Bluetooth speakers is a must if you’re hosting a summer get together, and the JBL Xtreme 4 is a great choice right now with 34% off. Its bass level is seriously impressive, and its long battery life means you’ll be able to keep the party going long into the night.
Upgrade your Amazon hardware now…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Prime Day is the best time of the year to upgrade your Amazon hardware. These devices tend to see the biggest price drops. In fact, outside of Black Friday — Prime Day is when you’ll find the biggest price cuts on Amazon gear.
That said, I do have one gripe with Amazon. In previous Prime Days, they’ve included a free smart bulb with select hardware purchases. This year you have to purchase the bulb at a discounted price of $4.99.
Additionally, the Echo is selling for $99, the Echo Show 15 for $299, and the Echo Show 21 for $399. Those are all list prices! It’s a shame Amazon didn’t discount these items that would otherwise normally get Prime Day price cuts.
That said, most other Amazon gear is on sale from as low as $8. So if you’re gonna update the Echo Dot — now is the best time to do so.
Our top massage gun is on sale…
I love to workout. I also love a good post-workout sports massage. Sadly, they can quickly get expensive, which is where the Hyperice comes into the picture.
If you’re not familiar with the brand, Hyperice makes some of the best massage guns we’ve tested and right now our top pick is on sale for Prime Day. You can get the Editor’s Choice Hyperice Hypervolt Go 2 for $129 right now.
According to price tracking tool Camelizer, this isn’t the cheapest it’s been. It hit $99 at the start of the year, but it’s still an epic deal at $129 and much cheaper than getting a sports massage every week!
Prime Day deals that are Black Friday cheap!
Happy day 3 of Prime Day! Deals editor Louis hopping onboard our live blog for the next few hours. After Prime Day wraps up this week, the next major retail holiday will be Labor Day. Then we’re smack in the end-of-year holiday shopping season.
That’s a long time to wait for Black Friday deals. That’s why my colleague Olivia Halevy has rounded up the best Prime Day deals that are Black Friday cheap. Her roundup includes Apple gear, a Samsung 4K TV, and (naturally) some Amazon hardware. Check out her story via the link above or browse some picks below.
Save $400 on this HP gaming laptop
This configuration of the latest HP Omen Transcend 14 model has everything you need for mid-level gaming. This includes an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5050 GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. While there are more powerful laptops out there, you’ll can still enjoy games running at smooth frame rates if you enable Nvidia DLSS 4. For this price, this is a perfect gaming laptop for anyone on a budget.
HP Omen Transcend 14 (2025): was $1,829 now $1,429 @ HP
This new gaming monitor is on sale!
The Alienware AW3425DW is a fantastic update that offers a streamlined design, vibrant image quality and smooth performance. Though its HDR isn’t the brightest, its slew of excellent features and sub $1,000 price make it one of the best curved gaming monitors available.
Alienware 34 QD-OLED (AW3425DW): was $799 now $679 @ Amazon
Save big on Under Armour
If you’re hoping to upgrade your fitness apparel, we have some great deals for you. Under Armour makes some of our favorite athletic apparel and right now, you can shop hoodies, leggings t-shirts and more from just $10.
With millions of beauty and grooming products on the market, it isn’t always easy to find items that are actually worth the purchase. Furthermore, they rarely go on sale — but thanks to Prime Day savings, now is the perfect opportunity to grab those best-selling beauty items at a more attractive price.
Stock up on Coleman camping gear
Whether you’re looking to grab a new tent, find a cozier sleeping bag or upgrade your camp kitchen set up, Coleman has camping gear and essentials start at just $31 during Prime Day sales. With savings of up to 50%, we recommend happy campers and outdoor enthusiasts hop on these unbeatable Coleman deals ASAP.
The best deals at least 50% off
Hoping to score epic savings this Prime Day? The good news is we’re seeing discounts of 50% off and more on everything from smart home devices and TVs to vacuums and kitchen appliances. Check out all my favorite Prime Day deals that are at least half off now.
Our favorite water bottles on sale now
In the market for some hydration deals this Prime Day? You’ve come to the right place. Amazon is currently knocking up to 40% off the best water bottles. If you’re looking to sip in style this summer, you really can’y go wrong with these picks from YETI, Stanley and Hydro Flask.
Unlimited powaaaah for very cheap
The INIU B41 is, according to the brand, the world’s slimmest power bank, and it certainly packs a punch. It’s highly pocketable and won’t take up space in your backpack, but its prowess lies in its ability to charge devices over and over and over again. It can charge most smartphones at least three times before dying.
10,000mAh of power and 3A fast charging also mean that this power bank can provide lots of juice when you’re in a hurry. INIU says that the B41 can fuel most smartphones up to 78% within an hour
This vacuum cleaner deal sucks (in the best possible way)
Forget Dyson! One of our favorite cordless vacuums, the Dreame R10 Pro, has fallen to its lowest ever price. You can grab it for just $138 at Amazon right now. In our R10 Pro review, we gave it 4 stars and praised it for its 120,000rpm motor speed and 150AW suction power, which made quick work of cleaning carpets, marble and hardwood floors.
Storing it is extremely easy as it’s quite compact, so you can lean it against a wall or use the included wall mount. The deal also includes four attachments, increasing the R10 Pro’s versatility.
Board games galore! Starting from just $5
On the hunt for a good board game this Prime Day? Our staff writer, Nikita, is covering the best Prime Day board game deals, including card games, and there are many to choose from. Whether you want a classic like Monopoly or Catan, a new card game like Exploding Kittens or What Do You Meme, or want to dabble in Dungeons & Dragons, there’s something for everyone — and these deals start from just $5. Here are some of her favorites:
Smartwatch deals for everybody
Whether you’re team iPhone, Samsung or Pixel, you can pick up an awesome smartwatch deal this Prime Day. All the major flagship models are on sale. In particular, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 has dropped to the incredibly low price of $151.
PCs, but make it mini
If you want to upgrade your setup, but lack desk space, a mini PC is the answer! Right now some of our favorite models from Geekom are seeing big price cuts. These mini but mighty deals are seriously impressive!
$16 per AirTag!
If you’re an iPhone loser who’s constantly losing your stuff, you need this deal. Right now you can get a 4-pack of AirTags on sale for $64, the lowest price I’ve seen for Apple’s key finders. Just attach them to your important belongings and you’ll be able to track them using the Find My app on your iPhone.
Sleep soundly this Prime Day
Some of our favorite mattresses are seeing price drops for Prime Day. Our sleep team has shared their top picks, so check out the article linked below. Or, see the highlights I’ve picked out:
Batteries are included
If you’re buying electronics this Prime Day, you’ll want to have some batteries on hand. Right now you can get a pack of 32 AA batteries on sale for $13.29 thanks to Prime Day discounts. That works out to just over 41 cents per cell.
This is the air fryer you should get for Prime Day
Looking for the best air fryer? Our vote goes to the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1. It’s simple to use, easy to fit in your kitchen and delivers consistently delicious results. You can even wash the basket in the dishwasher, making for easy clean-up.
The cheapest AirPods deal
AirPods for $100 is big news, and right now you can snag a pair for well under that. The AirPods 4 are now on sale for $89. Offering solid sound and excellent connectivity with Apple devices, these are a must-have for iPhone users.
ICYMI: Switch 2 Prime Day restock!
This is one of the Prime Day offerings I’m most excited about. Prime members have the chance to score a Nintendo Switch 2 via invitation! This is one of the must-have products of the year and is consistently selling out as soon as it appears at most retailers. Sign up for an invite ASAP for the best chance at scoring yourself a console.
The best deals of Prime Day…
We’re already into day 3 of Prime Day 2025! It’s time to get serious about taking advantage of these deals. Stay tuned to this live blog as we’ll continue to bring you all the best discounts as they roll in. The entire Tom’s Guide staff will be here to help you avoid the noise and find the deals that really matter.
LAS VEGAS — Cooper Flagg made his professional debut Thursday night in the NBA Summer League and celebrated an 87-85 win over Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Flagg finished with 10 points on 5-for-21 shooting, including 0 for 5 from 3-point range. He also had six rebounds, four assists, three steals and one block. Though Flagg struggled at times to find his rhythm, there were flashes as to why he was chosen No. 1 overall last month, doing plenty of little things that helped the Mavericks seal the win, including a key block near the end of the game.
Flagg swatted DJ Steward’s attempt with 1:10 left in the game, and Ryan Nembhard made a 3-pointer at the other end to give Dallas the 87-85 lead.
Flagg strolled into UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Dallas Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes, and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security.
Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m.
His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter in his first Summer League game.
Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game, picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game, and gave the crowd what they’d been anticipating, going one-on-one with fellow fan favorite James.
James buried his first attempt over Flagg, and then hit a 3-pointer after the 6-foot-8 Duke product missed his second attempt to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead.
Flagg excited the crowd at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter, jamming home his first points.
Early in the second quarter, Flagg nearly sent every fan in the building into a frenzy when he made a spin move into the paint and attempted a one-handed slam dunk over 7-foot Christian Koloko. The ball caromed off the back of the rim and still drew plenty of oohs and ahhs.
Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National college player of the year.
Like 15-year-old Baer Epple, 15, who was seated with his father Chad in the third row from the court, donning Dirk Nowitzki’s Mavericks jersey.
Epple said he’s been following Flagg since before his Duke days, beginning with his junior year at Nokomis Regional High School in Newport, Maine.
The 15-year-old who is in Las Vegas from Seattle for an AAU tournament said he’s been a Mavericks fan for roughly four years.
“Even more of a fan now that they got Cooper Flagg,” Epple said. “Hopefully he does good, that’d be pretty cool to see. I don’t want him to be like a bust or anything.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told The Associated Press before the game he’s looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team’s opening game, as he wants them all playing hard.
“This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout,” Kidd said. “But the guys have had a couple practices. There’s going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one’s gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish.”
As for his prize draft pick: “We’re all excited,” Kidd said of Flagg. “Seen enough of him on tape, so now it’s good to see him on the floor.”
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