Giannis Antetokounmpo Welcomes Rookie Cooper Flagg with a Ferocious Dunk in Bucks’ Win Over Mavericks
Giannis Antetokounmpo marked the arrival of Cooper Flagg to the NBA with a sensational dunk highlight during the Milwaukee Bucks’ matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night. Now in his 13th NBA season, Antetokounmpo continues to shine as one of the league’s elite players, leading the Bucks in their pursuit of returning to the pinnacle they reached with the 2021 NBA Championship.
Flagg, a highly-touted rookie selected first overall by the Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft, entered the league carrying high expectations. Understanding the pressures of early success, Antetokounmpo made a statement by involving Flagg directly in this highlight play. Just under a minute into the second quarter, Antetokounmpo drove past Daniel Gafford and soared through the air to dunk emphatically over Flagg, creating a memorable welcome moment.
Bucks vs. Mavericks: How the Game Unfolded
The thrilling highlight was a precursor to an exciting game that saw the Bucks secure a narrow 116-114 victory over Dallas. Although the Mavericks controlled momentum through large stretches, holding an 88-79 lead entering the fourth quarter, Milwaukee mounted a strong comeback. The Bucks outplayed Dallas 37-26 in the final 12 minutes to clinch the win on the road.
Key factors in the game were perimeter shooting and ball control. Milwaukee excelled in both categories, knocking down 14 three-pointers on 38.9% shooting while limiting turnovers to just 13. In contrast, Dallas struggled from beyond the arc, making only nine triples on 23.1% accuracy, and committed 15 turnovers, which proved costly.
Standout Performers for Milwaukee
Six Bucks players scored in double figures, led by Antetokounmpo, who posted an impressive stat line of 30 points, eight rebounds, six assists, three blocks, and one steal. He shot efficiently, making 11-of-18 from the field, including a 1-of-2 mark from three-point range, and converting 7-of-12 free throws.
Supporting Giannis was Kyle Kuzma with 26 points and five rebounds, while Myles Turner contributed 14 points and seven boards. Ryan Rollins added 13 points and eight assists, and both AJ Green and Bobby Portis chipped in 13 points each.
Looking Ahead
With this victory, Milwaukee improved to a 7-4 record, sitting fifth in the Eastern Conference standings. They currently hold positions ahead of the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia 76ers but trail the Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat.
The Bucks will remain on the road for their next challenge, facing the Charlotte Hornets on November 12 at 7 p.m. ET. Fans will be eager to see if Giannis and Milwaukee can maintain their momentum and build on this impressive start to the season.
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