Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) dribbles during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at American Airlines Center. Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Cooper Flagg's absurd dunk should give Mavericks hope for life after Luka Doncic

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Nov 6, 2025 12:43 AM ET

We get it, Dallas Mavericks fans, you still miss seventh-year guard Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last season.

However, they must admit Doncic has probably never rocked the rim like rookie forward Cooper Flagg did during Wednesday night's matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Late in the first quarter of Dallas' home game, forward Naji Marshall lobbed the ball to Flagg on an alley-oop. The No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NBA Draft then posterized forward Karlo Matkovic.

The Mavericks lost, however, 101-99. Flagg scored 20 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field and logged nine rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks. It's worth noting he missed a floating jumper that would've sent the game to overtime. Still, the former Duke Blue Devils star showed Dallas there could be plenty of reason for optimism in the post-Doncic era.

COOPER FLAGG FOR THE POSTER pic.twitter.com/sMXbzzQLjO
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 6, 2025

Cooper Flagg has traits that Luka Doncic doesn't have

The five-time All-Star Doncic remains one of the top players in the NBA. The 6-foot-8, 230-pound guard led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals during the 2023-24 season. He's in the super-early MVP conversation this season after averaging an absurd 41.3 points per game in his first four games.

On Wednesday, though, Flagg showcased his ability to play above the rim. That's not something Doncic — who relies on his ability to create space for his shot — does regularly.

"He has the height, strength, and instincts to play down low as a shot blocker, but he also has the quickness and athleticism to lock down on the perimeter," RotoWire.com wrote of the 6-foot-9, 205-pound wing before the draft (h/t NBA.com). "Offensively, Flagg, who put up elite numbers at Duke, is far from a polished prospect, but the potential is glaring."

When Dallas head coach Jason Kidd finds out how to create more opportunities for Flagg to score in transition, he can start approaching his high ceiling. Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant has said the 18-year-old could one day "be considered one of the best of all time."

While it may not be the same as watching Doncic, Flagg can still offer a brand of basketball that Mavericks supporters will grow to love, especially if it includes highlights like the one he had Wednesday night.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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