NBA Western Conference overachievers
The NBA Western Conference is always deep and we expect a few teams to emerge from the pack as overachievers in 2025-26.
Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks take on Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers tonight in preseason action.
The preseason allows for a rookie player such as Flagg to get familiar with the NBA’s style of play after just one season at the college level and the expectation to contribute early as the top overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
James is preparing for his second professional season, with the preseason serving as an opportunity for him to see extended minutes with his teammates in a game-like setting.
The two have paired off against one another in July when the Mavericks and Lakers played during the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Both struggled to find a level of consistency with their shots in the game.
Luka Dončić appears unlikely to play against his former team. Dončić made his 2025 preseason debut on Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns. He had 25 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes of play for the Lakers in the 113-104 loss to the Suns.
Dončić was not listed in the starting lineup on Wednesday.
How to watch Mavericks vs. Lakers preseason gameTime: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)Location: T-Mobile Arena (Las Vegas)TV: ESPNStream: ESPN+, Fubo, YouTube TV
Watch Mavericks vs. Lakers with Fubo
Cooper Flagg will start for the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. He will be joined by P.J. Washington Jr., Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II and Klay Thompson in the lineup.
Bronny James stats tonight vs. Mavericks
Stats will be updated as game begins:
Points:FG:Free Throws:Rebounds:Assists:Steals:Blocks:Turnovers:Fouls:Minutes:Points: 4FG: 2-for-3Free Throws: 0-for-0Rebounds: 0Assists: 1Steals: 0Blocks: 0Turnovers: 0Fouls: 0Minutes: 5