Irving Anchors New Dallas Core With Flagg

Thirty-two points. That is what 19-year-old Cooper Flagg scored in the season opener against Houston, a game that ended in a 128-110 loss for the Rockets. The performance arrived while veteran Kyrie Irving sat on the sideline, restricted to limited minutes as a precaution. The result underscored the immediate dynamic on a Dallas Mavericks squad that has shifted its focus to a new era.

Irving has not played a Mavericks game in over 18 months. He spent early September in Southern California organizing an informal minicamp with new head coach Dusty May and his staff. The schedule included basketball workouts and beach yoga. Irving aimed to build chemistry with younger teammates, including Flagg, whom he describes as his 19-year-old co-pilot. The pairing was delayed last season when Irving suffered a torn left ACL in March 2025.

The 34-year-old guard has served as a locker room leader since arriving via trade in February 2023. He has appeared in just 130 games in a Dallas uniform. He is now the team's longest-serving player after Dwight Powell was waived in the preseason, ending a 12-year run. Irving described his tenure as a little bit chaotic at times. He remained a calm presence through the franchise's turbulent recent years, including the 2024 Finals appearance and the subsequent trade of Luka Doncic.

The front office has undergone a major overhaul since then. General manager Nico Harrison was fired last November. Anthony Davis, the centerpiece of the Doncic return, played only 29 games and two play-in appearances for Dallas. Team president Masai Ujiri, hired in May, expressed a huge curiosity about the Irving and Flagg pairing. The franchise is pushing to build a sustainable contender around the 2025 No. 1 pick.

On the court, the fit appears natural. Irving is an elite off-dribble creator who also shoots off the ball. Flagg said he makes it easy to play with him. Flagg averaged 21.0 points and 4.5 assists as a rookie. His production and efficiency improved when playing beside a traditional point guard. The two often worked together after practices during Flagg's rookie year, and they finally played together in pickup runs this summer.

Early results show promise. Houston made trapping Irving its top priority in the opener. Kevin Durant noted afterward that Kyrie is that dangerous. Irving and Flagg combined for 27 points and eight assists in the first half of Friday's win over Indiana, where Dallas built a 35-point lead. Flagg left late in the second quarter with a mild left shoulder sprain after a flagrant foul.

Flagg returned on Monday for a road win over Miami. He and Irving combined for 47 points and 17 assists. Flagg finished with 29 points, six rebounds, 11 assists, five steals, and three blocks. He blocked Andrew Wiggins' potential go-ahead corner three in the final minute. Irving said he is there to alleviate some of that pressure on Flagg, who is coming off Rookie of the Year honors. Trade questions persist because Dallas does not control its own first-round pick for the next four years. Sources expect a strong market for Irving, an eight-time All-Star with a $42.4 million player option for next season. Ujiri stated the team truly believes in Irving, who said he is in love with this place and wants no distractions in the locker room.