Victor Wembanyama gave Cooper Flagg a reality check in his first-ever NBA game

Cooper Flagg, the 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year, received a harsh introduction to the league in his very first regular season game when he faced Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs while playing for the Dallas Mavericks. Flagg, a former Duke standout, edged out teammate Kon Knueppel for the Rookie of the Year award after completing his 82-game debut season. Wembanyama's dominant performance against Flagg in that opening game served as a defining 'Welcome to the NBA' moment for the highly touted rookie.