"GABE WELCOMING COOPER FLAGG TO THE NBA": Lakers in disbelief as Luka Doncic's backup cooks No. 1 pick with 18 points in five minutes 

Mavericks No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg may have gotten his "welcome to the NBA" moment from Luka Doncic's backup, Gabe Vincent. In Wednesday's marquee preseason game between Dallas and the Lakers, Vincent torched Flagg, who was his primary defender, for 18 points in five minutes.

Vincent was unconscious to begin the contest after making five consecutive 3s. He missed his sixth attempt, but Flagg fouled him on that play, sending the Lakers veteran point guard to the free throw line for three shots. Flagg had seemingly no answers for Vincent then.

NBA fans were in disbelief at Vincent's exploits, especially against the generational rookie, who had held his ground well against other veterans in three preseason games previously. Flagg's defense, in particular, has stood out, so everyone was caught by surprise over Vincent's blitz.

Here's how fans reacted to that stretch:

m⁷⁷

@miss77ela

GABE WELCOMING COOPER FLAG TO THE NBA 🤣🤣

LakeShow Highlights

@LSH_lakeshow

Gabe Vincent just went 5 for 5 from three to start the game vs the Mavericks 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 Nearly made a sixth but was fouled in the act. Gabe was LIGHTING UP Cooper Flagg!

Lakers Better

@LakersBetter

Cooper Flagg welcome to the NBA moment is Gabe Vincent belt

Lane 😶‍🌫️

@LakerrsLane

Gabe frying Cooper Flagg😭

Coach Rome

@Rome_Beast

mf gabe gave cooper flagg 18 in 5 minutes

JTFlashSports

@JTFlash_Sports

Gabe Vincent being Cooper Flagg’s “welcome to the NBA” moment is going to go crazy in 12 years

Gabe Vincent ended his night with 22 points and three assists. He made another 3 in the game and added a point from the free throw line following his hot start. On the other hand, Cooper Flagg scored 13 points, two rebounds and three assists as a starting point guard, shooting 5 of 11. He missed his two shots from deep, but was 3 of 3 from the free throw line.

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Gabe Vincent had more 3s than Cooper Flagg and Mavericks as a whole before his exit

Gabe Vincent finished with six triples, one more than Cooper Flagg and the Mavericks had as a team before he left the floor. The Lakers had 12 in total with 34 attempts. Vincent's shooting has been notable progress for the Purple and Gold ahead of a new season.

In his first two years in LA, the former Heat guard had struggled to replicate the success he had achieved during his time in South Beach. Vincent has averaged 6.0 points on 39/33/70 splits in 83 games as a Laker, but during the preseason alone, he's 11-for-22 from deep.

The Lakers need that from him, especially due to their lack of shot creation and scoring in the second unit. If anything, this burst would help improve Vincent's trade value as an expiring contract and get the Lakers immediate help before the deadline.