Okay, so picture this: Las Vegas, Thomas & Mack Center, the big arena vibes. It was THE game everyone was buzzing about – Cooper Flagg vs. Dylan Harper, top picks from the 2025 NBA Draft. People came for Flagg’s crazy shot highlights, but Harper and the Spurs snagged the W with a 76-69 win.
Right out of the gate, Flagg was on fire, dropping 31 points like it was nothing. I mean, yeah, he shot 10-for-21, nailed three from downtown, grabbed some boards, and even swatted a shot. Game before? He barely cracked double digits. Quite the comeback, no? Got me wondering if he had an energy drink or something pre-game.
And then there’s Harper. Dude wasn’t even starting, but he waltzed in, casually put up 16 points, and filled the stat line with rebounds, assists, steals, and a block. It was more about smooth moves rather than flashy plays. Like, imagine a jazz musician, just vibin’ and controlling the scene.
Anyway, I’m going off track. So, Harper’s in there, keeping it steady. San Antonio rides his wave, even when Flagg decided to go berserk in the third quarter, closing the gap. Spurs just hung tight and kept the lead. Harper said later he was “as hyped as he’d been in a little minute.” Love athletes talking like that. Makes them feel, I dunno, more real?
Numbers don’t lie—okay, maybe sometimes they do—but this time they didn’t. Spurs had a balanced act; Dallas leaned hard on Flagg. He nearly scored half their points, which, props to him, but yikes for the rest of the team.
Flagg talked after the loss, seemed pretty chill. Said he’s getting more comfy playing aggressive. Harper? Didn’t play a ton, but dude was everywhere on the court. His coach was like, “yeah, that’s our guy.”
Oh, and media? Yeah, lit up like a Christmas tree. CBS, ESPN, all of ‘em had opinions. Some even slapped on dramatic headlines like “Flagg Shines, But Harper Wins.” Classic. Fans were all over social media, arguing stats vs. wins. Maybe nobody wins those debates, but fun to watch ’em play out.
So, what’s next? Harper’s looking like a fresh burst of life for the Spurs. Flagg? Future superstar vibes for Dallas, even if their depth’s a bit shaky. Both teams gearing up for more Summer League action.
Final word? Flagg dazzled, but Harper’s poise sealed the deal. It’s early days, sure, but both these guys are stirring up something major for the NBA’s future. Can’t wait to see Round Two in their budding rivalry.
