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New York Sports News Continuously updated

Cooper Flagg’s debut draws fourth-largest Summer League audience ever on ESPN

July 12, 2025 by Hoops Hype

Thursday’s Lakers-Mavericks NBA Summer League game, which marked the NBA debut of #1 pick Cooper Flagg, averaged 955,000 viewers on ESPN — marking the fourth-largest Summer League audience ever on the ESPN networks. The Mavericks’ win, which peaked with 1.12 million viewers, trails only Hornets-Spurs in 2023 (Victor Wembanyama’s debut: 1.39M), Pelicans-Knicks in 2019 (Zion Williamson’s debut: 1.61M) and Celtics-Lakers in 2017 (1.1M).
Source: Sports Media Watch

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Cooper Flagg is making life easier on everyone, especially his teammates. Just ask Ryan Nembhard and Miles Kelly.
mavs.com/flagg-impact-h… – 6:30 PM
John Karalis @John_Karalis
Picks ‘n Pops: Cooper Flagg, riding money waves, and a blind pig bostonsportsjournal.com/2025/07/11/pic… – 1:15 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
All eyes were on No.1 pick Cooper Flagg in Las Vegas last night, but it was undrafted free agent Ryan Nembhard who was the best player on the floor for the Dallas Mavericks: sportsnet.ca/nba/article/ne… – 10:09 AM
David Aldridge @davidaldridgedc
The hype train pulled into Thomas and Mack Center again Thursday, bringing Cooper Flagg to his NBA debut at Summer League in Vegas. He didn’t play well, but that wasn’t important to the fans and celebs who came to see The Next Big Thing. In @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/64867… – 9:48 AM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
Hello, Friday!
@GeraldBlss & @SamMitchellNBA are LIVE on The Starting Lineup!
🏀 Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny James
☀ Summer League Day 1
🎙 Hear interviews from Kenny Atkinson & Rod Thorn
📻 Listen Live: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive
📱 Call the Show: 855-NBA-JUMP (855-622-5867) pic.x.com/EyxWzHsFWE – 7:02 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
NBA Summer League Day 1: Ryan Nembhard steals spotlight from Bronny James, Cooper Flagg
nbcsports.com/nba/news/nba-s… – 3:19 AM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Cooper Flagg wins Summer League debut despite shooting struggles sportando.basketball/en/cooper-flag… – 2:06 AM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Cooper Flagg might have played one of the worst games of his life (his words) in his Summer League debut, but 🇨🇦 teammate Ryan Nembhard made sure it ended with a win: sportsnet.ca/nba/article/ne… – 1:57 AM
Stephen Noh @StephNoh
My report of Cooper Flagg and Bronny James from Las Vegas:
sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/co… – 1:41 AM
Eddie Sefko @ESefko
While Cooper Flagg called his first NBA summer league game one of his worst, the highlights were undeniable. And the Mavericks got the win in part from the No. 1 pick’s play.
mavs.com/flaggs-summer-… – 1:13 AM
Rod Boone @rodboone
What Cooper Flagg said about debut vs. Lakers, Bronny James in NBA Summer League:
charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/art… – 1:11 AM
NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
The difference a year makes for Cooper Flagg 🙌 pic.x.com/nJmnPLgPSq – 12:26 AM

Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
A look at what it’s like trying to talk to Bronny James and Cooper Flagg postgame at the NBA Summer League. pic.x.com/CfSBUEKyPV – 11:56 PM

Dave McMenamin @mcten
Bronny James on guarding Cooper Flagg in the post: “Just trying to hold my ground. He’s got like half a foot on me.” Went on to say that Flagg is “an amazing player” and “he’s going to be something special” pic.x.com/3FLb0eR0Ce – 11:23 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
Cooper Flagg did his thing on both ends of the floor in his summer league debut 💪 pic.x.com/1XKD49tby5 – 10:27 PM

Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lakers vs Mavs ‘Summer League’ Post Game | Cooper Flagg Debut x.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 10:18 PM
Brad Townsend @townbrad
Cooper Flagg, on ESPN, couldn’t have said it any better:
“Not up to my standards. But I’m gonna be all right.” – 10:09 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Cooper Flagg denial.
#Mavs #MFFL #NBA2KSummerLeague pic.x.com/EdQeFuIYrm – 10:02 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Cooper Flagg has been ok offensively but he just had a great block that led to a Ryan Nembhard 3 and an 87-85 lead with 59 seconds left. – 9:59 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg with the monster help side block, transition push and assist for go-ahead jumper in final minute vs. Lakers pic.x.com/rBXktQp0HH – 9:59 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“His poise as an 18-year-old is incredible.”
@malika_andrews gets Jason Kidd’s first impressions of Cooper Flagg in his summer league debut 👀 pic.x.com/E7KW6LwCLb – 9:24 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Cooper Flagg has done a solid job of handling the ball in the summer league opener. pic.x.com/wORrT6MJgw – 9:22 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bronny James vs. Cooper Flagg Part 2.
Flagg jumper. #LakeShow #Mavs #MFFL #NBASummerLeague pic.x.com/KsA54abFbx – 8:58 PM

Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Enjoy this night of Cooper Flagg……I’m not sure how much he needs to play going forward – 8:51 PM
Michael Grange @michaelgrange
Huge crowd here to see Ryan Nembhard (and Cooper Flagg and Bronny James) pic.x.com/YC4uY0wQBS – 8:49 PM

Nick DePaula @NickDePaula
Cooper Flagg makes his Summer League debut in the New Balance Hesi Low V2 pic.x.com/7C5tuU4tlD – 8:47 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bronny James vs. Cooper Flagg.
James denial. #Lakers #Mavs #NBASummerLeague pic.x.com/Js1gOYvVHJ – 8:46 PM

Brad Townsend @townbrad
“Quick, powerful big,” Bonny James tells ESPN of Cooper Flagg. I’d say that covers a lot of ground. – 8:40 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
It’s hard to notice or tell until you see him against reasonable peers, but Cooper Flagg, bigger than you think, taller than you realize – 8:38 PM
Rod Boone @rodboone
Thomas & Mack Center nearly packed to the rafters for Cooper Flagg’s debut in NBA Summer League. Lots of Lakers fans in the house, too, watching Bronny James. pic.x.com/816pgDmqWo – 8:35 PM

Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Cooper Flagg just entered summer league lore with a couple plays, a fast break dunk and a step back jumper in transition – 8:30 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Have to say, Cooper Flagg is the real deal – 8:29 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bronny James five quick points. Cooper Flagg has yet to score. #NBASummerLeague – 8:21 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
It’s Bronny James, Dalton Knecht, DJ Stewart, Cole Swider and Darius Bazley for the Lakers to start the Las Vegas portion of summer league.
Bronny hit a 2, and then a 3 to get LA off to a 5-0 lead against Cooper Flagg and Dallas. – 8:17 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Bronny James 🤝 Cooper Flagg pic.x.com/pWLGP3qUbB – 8:15 PM

Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Bronny James in the building.
Cooper Flagg in the building.
Let’s do this. #NBASummerLeague – 8:14 PM
Ben Golliver @BenGolliver
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg takes the court for his Las Vegas Summer League debut pic.x.com/hzIRPbZDt1 – 8:04 PM

Sam Amick @sam_amick
Pregame reading for tonight’s Cooper Flagg vs. Bronny showdown here in Vegas, at @TheAthletic…
@cclark_13 on the “Maine Event” – nytimes.com/athletic/64719…
@DanWoikeSports on Bronny’s journey entering Year No. 2
nytimes.com/athletic/64834… – 7:55 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Starting to fill up upstairs for Cooper Flagg and Bronny James pic.x.com/mSfGVK0pp5 – 7:53 PM

Eddie Sefko @ESefko
Summer league action at Thomas & Mack. Next up? Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks at 7 Dallas time. pic.x.com/ePAEgUbBTw – 6:24 PM

NBA on ESPN @ESPNNBA
“For me, this is like a trial for Cooper Flagg to see what he maximizes and what his strengths are.”
@ThisIsUD on what he’s going to look for in Cooper Flagg’s NBA Summer League debut for the Mavs 🔥 pic.x.com/QLGiWhg5J1 – 5:50 PM

More on this storyline

“I was looking forward to (playing point guard), splitting some reps with Ryan (Nembhard),” Flagg said. “It’s new for me, bringing it up, having that full-court pressure a bunch. Obviously, I’m not in full game shape. I’m a little tired, but (I’m) just dealing with that. It was fun experimenting and trying to do different things.” “He didn’t score the ball really well,” Nembhard said of playing with Flagg. “It wasn’t his night, but the gravity he has, it helps guys get good looks. He’s super talented.” Expect plenty more “Point Flagg” this season based on everything the Mavericks’ coaching staff has said. Flagg will suit up again on Saturday, as the Mavericks face the San Antonio Spurs and No. 2 pick Dylan Harper in Las Vegas. “I was a little nervous but excited,” Flagg said. “Just happy to be here. It’s a dream come true. Just trying to enjoy the moment.” -via New York Times / July 11, 2025
The other thing that matters: neither the Mavericks nor Cooper Flagg sounded concerned about his debut. Summer League performances rarely foreshadow NBA excellence or failure. But one important Mavericks figure saw a positive development as he observed Flagg’s shots clank off the rim. “You kind of have to think of the Kobe Bryant arc,” former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban told a small group of reporters. “It took him some time to get it right. I don’t want to curse him by comparing him to Kobe because they’re not the same. But Kobe didn’t come in right away as a polished player. It took him two years to get it.” -via SportsKeeda / July 11, 2025
“I think the difference is that Cooper can pass,” Cuban said. “He can play the game. He can defend. So you can put him in any NBA game.” Aside from Flagg’s poor shooting numbers, the Mavericks walked away actually impressed with how the No. 1 pick fared. Flagg added six rebounds, four assists, three steals and a block. He often assumed ball-handling duties. He ran the floor well in transition. He performed that job description in 32 minutes, though Cuban joked it felt like “90 minutes.” “He’s only 18 so you can play him 90 minutes in a summer league game,” Cuban said. “Even if you could tell he was gassed, he still made the right play. He didn’t try to do too much and say, ‘Hey, I’m the No. 1 pick. Let me try to show you why. He played basketball the whole time.’ And he’s 18. My daughter just graduated from high school last month, and he’s younger than her.” -via SportsKeeda / July 11, 2025

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