Lakers’ Luka Dončić shows off MVP stuff against Mavericks in first meeting with Cooper Flagg

LOS ANGELES — In one sweeping motion, Luka Dončić threw his former team’s defensive coverage in disarray, leaving him face-to-face with Cooper Flagg — the Mavericks rookie thrust into the spotlight following Dončic’s emotional departure from Dallas nine months ago.

Dončić swung his arms and shifted his body to his right — the side Flagg was desperately attempting to shield — and charged toward the rim. With the Mavericks’ hopes of help defense eliminated, Dončić was presented with a gift — and he opened it with the veracity of a wide-eyed child on Christmas Day.

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In actuality, Dončić’s basket was a muted response to Flagg’s midrange jumper over him a few possessions earlier. Lost amid the high stakes of Friday’s NBA Cup group play finale — the Lakers had already punched their knockout stage ticket while the Mavericks had reached their limit — was the first matchup between Dončić and Flagg, and the first matchup between the Lakers and Mavericks since Nico Harrison’s firing earlier this month.

The intertwining of DNA between both franchises is undeniable, stronger than a late November meeting. Players and coaches have switched sides over the years. And on Friday evening, there were a few other underlying storylines at Crypto.com Arena; a tale of two franchises heading in opposite directions, the juxtaposition of a team with an array of multi-faceted creators and one still searching for stability, and Anthony Davis’ first matchup against the Lakers since being traded.

But the Dončić-Flagg tilt was the most important affair on the docket.

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And to be fair, Flagg didn’t shy away from the moment. On multiple occasions, his aggression and versatility were on display — whether it was going band for band with Dončić, stepping in LeBron James’ way to send the 40-year-old to the ground in a transition-saving play, or trying to make the right reads.

“I think he’s a good player,” Dončić said. “Obviously, there’s a lot of pressure that comes with the first pick. He has a lot on his shoulders. But I think he will be a great player.”

Flagg finished with 13…

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Author : Kelly Iko

Publish date : 2025-11-29 08:50:00

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