In the Dallas Mavericks' first preseason contest versus the Oklahoma City Thunder at Dickie's Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, local fans were mainly looking to see what new No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg would be able to do in brief action. Head coach Jason Kidd made it clear in the pre-game that Flagg would only play in the first half, but that's all Mavericks fans needed to see in regard to the potential that is beckoning from the young man out of Duke University.
Flagg anchored down on opposing ball handlers well as an on-ball defender throughout the entire first half, and his ability to find players in the pick-and-roll, short-roll, and on the weak-side off drives, was something that really stuck out in his first preseason contest, Granted, Dallas was going against a severely undermanned Thunder squad, but Flagg had three assists in the contests, and at least 2-3 hockey assists.