The NBA couldn’t have made it better.
The top two picks of the 2025 draft, Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, will face off in an early must-see matchup as the Dallas Mavericks host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday, October 23, at 9:30 a.m. (PH time).
ESPN OPENING WEEK!
— NBA (@NBA) August 12, 2025
🔥 Cavs look to build on 64-win season
🔥 Knicks look to build on ECF run
🔥 Wemby vs. AD in Texas showdown
🔥 Flagg, Harper begin Year 1
🔥 2025 Finals rematch
🔥 2022 vs. 2023 champs in Steph/Jokic showdown
NBA Schedule Release presented by @Ticketmaster
It will be the first time since 2015 that the top two picks from the same draft meet in their regular-season debuts.
The two previously faced off in Summer League play when the Spurs defeated the Mavericks 76-69. Despite the loss, Flagg turned heads with a 31-point performance on 10-of-21 shooting, including 3-of-9 from three-point range, and four rebounds in 33 minutes.
Harper, for his part, logged 16 points, six rebounds, and two steals in his debut.
Dallas is looking to rebound after an injury-riddled 2024-25 campaign that ended with a play-in tournament loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
Last season also saw the Mavericks make a league-altering trade that sent former franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic to the LA Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis.
Davis managed to play only nine games with Dallas after dealing with various injuries, and the team failed to make the playoffs after reaching the NBA Finals in 2024.
Dallas, however, is expected to be without Kyrie Irving for much of the regular season as the one-time champion is recovering from an ACL injury sustained last March.
[ALSO READ: Mavericks star Kyrie Irving to sign new long-term deal with Dallas– reports]
With the arrival of Flagg, he is expected to bolster a loaded roster that also includes Klay Thompson, P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, Dereck Lively II, and D’Angelo Russell.
Meanwhile, the Spurs’ decision to select Harper further strengthens their already deep frontcourt rotation, which features reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle and former All-Star De’Aaron Fox.
[ALSO READ: Fil-Am rookie Dylan Harper officially signs with San Antonio Spurs]
The Spurs finished last season 34-48 and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year.
French star Victor Wembanyama missed the team’s final 33 games after suffering a blood clot injury in mid-February. In the 46 games he did play, the 2024 Rookie of the Year averaged 24.3 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.8 blocks.
Wembanyama fully recovered from the injury last month and is expected to return for his third year with another strong campaign for the Spurs.
[ALSO READ: San Antonio Spurs superstar Victor Wembanyama recovered from blood clot—reports]
Before the Spurs-Mavericks showdown, Donovan Mitchell will host Jalen Brunson and the New York Knicks in Cleveland at 7:00 a.m. (PH Time).
Coming off a 64-win campaign last season, the Cleveland Cavaliers aim to redeem themselves after a disappointing playoff performance, where the East's top seed fell in five games to the Indiana Pacers in the semifinals.
Meanwhile, the Knicks aim to build on their first East Finals appearance in 25 years while introducing their new coach, Mike Brown.
