Just because it\u2019s preseason doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t be exciting. The Charlotte Hornets and the Dallas Mavericks met for a matchup on Saturday night, and notable stars from both sides took the court.<\/p>\n
The young standouts LaMelo Ball<\/a> and Cooper Flagg<\/a> were in the mix, making an impact for their teams early on, and putting together highlight-worthy plays.<\/p>\n It was a tale of two players. For Cooper Flagg, it was another opportunity to show the NBA that he has arrived. For Ball, his night could serve as a reminder that he can still be one of the most creative scorers when he\u2019s healthy and on the floor.<\/p>\n via @TheHoopeCentral: COOPER FLAGG WITH THE MOVES.<\/p>\n COOPER FLAGG WITH THE MOVES. \ud83e\udd76<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/cDXprNyyhW<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @TheHoopCentral: Cooper Flagg is putting on a show. <\/p>\n Cooper Flagg is putting on a show. \ud83c\udf7f\ud83d\udd25<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/XB29mbLG1j<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @TheMavsBlog: Cooper Flagg is going to be such a weapon in transition.<\/p>\n Cooper Flagg is going to be such a weapon in transition. \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/zKwEClQAlf<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Mavs Blog (@TheMavsBlog) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @TheSteinLine: Bold home preseason opener take: I think Cooper Flagg will win Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n Bold home preseason opener take: I think Cooper Flagg will win Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n \u2014 Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Entering the NBA as the No. 1 pick, Flagg is expected to be a top competitor for the NBA\u2019s Rookie of the Year award. While he ends up in a unique situation, landing with a supposed playoff contender, Flagg is still expected to play a key role for the Mavs, who have been launching a new era with Luka Doncic out of the picture.<\/p>\n When Flagg made his preseason debut against the Oklahoma City Thunder earlier this week, the rookie forward produced 10 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block in 14 minutes of action. He shot 3-6 from the field, and knocked down 2 out of his 3 shots from three.<\/p>\n Against the Hornets, Flagg checked in as a starter for 24 minutes of action. The rookie shot 4-8 from the field, 1-2 from three, and knocked down both of his free throws. He finished the game with 12 points. In addition to his scoring, Flagg came down with 4 rebounds, and dished out 1 assist.<\/p>\n via @TheHoopCentral: LaMelo is so smooth.<\/p>\n LaMelo is so smooth. \ud83e\udd76<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/YHIh9WSAWP<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @NBA: LaMelo Ball stepback triple. LaMelo Ball fadeaway triple. Two pretty plays from the Charlotte playmaker<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball stepback triple. Two pretty plays from the Charlotte playmaker \ud83d\udc40 pic.twitter.com\/MAEISNdCYB<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA (@NBA) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @NBA_AU: LaMelo Ball’s out there running rings around the defense<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball’s out there running rings around the defense \ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab#NBAHighlights<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/ZNk9mY3lgK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @roddystr: LaMelo Ball still one of the most special shot creators and shot makers I’ve ever seen<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball still one of the most special shot creators and shot makers I’ve ever seen<\/p>\n \u2014 rodlo \ud83e\udeac (@roddystr) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n via @HornetsReddit: LaMelo Ball to Miles Bridges for the SLAM!<\/p>\n LaMelo Ball to Miles Bridges for the SLAM! \ud83d\udcaa pic.twitter.com\/SXetRXtYJX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 r\/CharlotteHornets (@HornetsReddit) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n The league knows what Ball brings to the table well, but that doesn\u2019t mean he\u2019s easy for defenses to stop.<\/p>\n Entering the NBA in 2020 as the third-overall pick for Charlotte, Ball quickly showed just how well his game could translate from the NBL in Australia to the National Basketball Association. As a rookie, LaMelo appeared in 51 games, generating 31 starts. He averaged 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists. and 1.6 steals. <\/p>\n Cooper Flagg is expected to win the Rookie of the Year award. LaMelo Ball accomplished that feat in 2021.<\/p>\n Heading into year six, LaMelo has a lot to prove. He made the All-Star game once when he was fortunate to have good health in 2022. Since then, Ball has struggled to appear in 50 games during a season. Last year, he played in 47 matchups, averaging 25.2 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.9 rebounds.<\/p>\n During Saturday night\u2019s matchup between Dallas and Charlotte, Ball checked in for 23 minutes. He shot 8-13 from the field, and went 4-8 from beyond the arc. The veteran guard produced 20 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds, and 1 block. <\/p>\n via @hornets: HORNETS DUB.<\/p>\n HORNETS DUB. pic.twitter.com\/FWctVFQHjQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Charlotte Hornets (@hornets) October 12, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n More Fastbreak on SI<\/p>\n
LaMelo Ball fadeaway triple.<\/p>\n