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Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks got their first look at Cooper Flagg, the Duke University product who was the No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft, on Monday when they took on the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg shone brightly in perhaps his best game to date in the pros with 26 points of 9-of-15 shooting from the field, nine rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block as he helped get the Mavericks out to a 13-point lead by early in the fourth quarter. Milwaukee fought back hard, as Antetokounmpo scored 15 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, and it came away with a 116-114 victory to improve to a 7-4 record. But the Greek Freak saw firsthand how much of a problem Flagg is and will be for years to come. Afterward, he kept it real about the special abilities Flagg has in his back pocket, per Rashad Miller of Dallas Hoops Journal. “Great player,” Antetokounmpo said. “High IQ, can read plays, can get downhill. For a guy his size to be able to handle the ball and make plays for himself or his teammates, he’s incredible. “Obviously, he has a great coach who gives him the opportunity to have the ball in his hands, and that’s very important in our league — especially when you’re young, 19 or 20 years old. To have a coach who trusts you with the ball down the stretch, throughout the game, that’s a blessing.” Read more: Clippers’ Kawhi Leonard Hit With Unfortunate Injury Update On the season, Flagg is averaging 15 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals a game. He has had to endure a 3-8 start by Dallas, which, in part, led to the franchise relieving Nico Harrison of his general manager duties, something that its frustrated fans had been calling for ever since February’s inexplicable Luka Doncic trade. Flagg’s arrival has given the franchise some real hope after it unloaded Doncic. At 6-foot-9, he can seemingly do it all on both ends of the floor, and he has given it a very intriguing and strong frontcourt that includes superstar big man Anthony Davis, whom it acquired in the Doncic trade, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II and P.J. Washington. DALLAS, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 10: Cooper Flagg #32 of the Dallas Mavericks is defended by Kyle Kuzma #18 of the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at American Airlines Center on November 10, 2025 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Antetokounmpo feels Mavs head coach Jason Kidd, who was his coach in Milwaukee from 2014 to 2018, will help Flagg progress. “We’re lucky,” Antetokounmpo continued. “Because through the history of the game, a lot of players were extremely talented but didn’t have the right coaching or development next to them to help them become who they were supposed to be. “Cooper having Jason Kidd and his coaching staff, with the talent level he has — being able to make plays for himself, get downhill, get to his spots, create for his teammates — the sky’s the limit. For sure, we’ll be hearing his name for a while in this league.” Read more: Mitchell Robinson Receives Major Prediction on Knicks Future When this season started, Kidd intended to try out Flagg as a point guard, partly because Kyrie Irving is still recovering from the torn ACL he suffered late last season. But that plan didn’t deliver the results the Mavericks may have expected, and they have seemingly backed away from that plan. But Flagg’s versatility should allow him to occasionally serve as a makeshift point guard, especially in the open court. He has done fairly well in that facet of the game, as Dallas is currently third in the NBA in fast-break points per game. For more on the Mavericks and general NBA news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
