The Dallas Mavericks started the new NBA season off at home on Wednesday night as they took on the San Antonio Spurs.
Dallas got off to a great start in the game as they led by one at the end of the first quarter, but things then took a major turn as they were outplayed by San Antonio from the second quarter on.
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San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) drives to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis (3).© Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Spurs ended up picking up a dominant victory over the Mavericks 125-92 as Dallas had no answers for Victor Wembanyama, who finished the game with 40 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks while Stephon Castle added 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists of his own.
For the Mavericks, Anthony Davis led the way with 22 points and 13 rebounds while P.J. Washington scored 17 points and grabbed five rebounds.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32)Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Of course, Wednesday’s game was also the NBA regular season debut for first overall pick Cooper Flagg who recorded 10 points and 10 rebounds while shooting 4-for-13 from the field.
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Chandler Parsons Urges Mavericks to Return Cooper Flagg to Forward Position
Dallas elected to start Flagg at point guard for their season opener with Kyrie Irving still sidelined due to recovery from a torn ACL he suffered last season.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32)Raymond Carlin III / Imagn Images
The young forward struggled in his first NBA game and because of this, former Mavericks forward Chandler Parsons called for the team to make a change to their lineup on Thursday’s episode of FanDuel’s “Run It Back.”
“I’d rather see them start D’Angelo Russell at point guard, or (Ryan) Nembhard and put him (Flagg) at his natural position,” Parsons said. “Let him be who he is that got him the No. 1 pick. Being a point guard didn’t get him drafted No. 1. Being Cooper Flagg, being this athletic wing that can play all different types of positions and styles, that got him the No. 1 pick, not being a point guard.”
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With this statement, it is clear that Parsons believes that the Mavericks should start Russell at point guard instead of Flagg and move Flagg back to his forward position, and he makes a solid point.
Of course, Flagg starred at Duke last season at the wing position due to his skillset on both ends of the court which made him the top pick in the 2025 draft.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32)Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Because of this, Parsons has urged the Mavericks to return Flagg to his natural position and instead start Russell at point guard, which does make sense.
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For Russell, they signed him in free agency in the offseason to fill in for Irving until he is ready to return this season, though Jason Kidd elected to run Flagg at point guard in their first game of the season after testing it out in the preseason.
Dallas Mavericks guard D’Angelo Russell (5)Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
After Wednesday’s loss, Kidd could look to change his lineup like Parsons has urged him to do, or he could also keep Flagg at point guard to continue to test out his experiment.
Either way, Dallas will look to rebound and pick up their first victory of the season on Friday night at home against the Washington Wizards.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Oct 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.