In a stunning individual performance that rewrote the history books, Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg has eclipsed a scoring record held by LeBron James for over two decades. The 18-year-old phenom dropped 42 points in a high-octane clash with the Utah Jazz on Monday night, surpassing the 37 points James scored as an 18-year-old back on 13 December 2003.
A Bittersweet Historic Night
Despite the personal milestone, Flagg's achievement was clouded by the final result, a 140-133 overtime defeat for his Dallas team. "Obviously we didn't win. So it's tough for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but obviously it's a success," Flagg remarked post-game, sporting an ice pack on a rolled ankle sustained at the end of regulation. His focus remained firmly on the team's performance rather than personal glory.
The No. 1 overall draft pick's spectacular line didn't stop at scoring. He also tallied seven rebounds and six assists, becoming just the fifth rookie in the last 15 years to post a 40-point, 5-rebound, 5-assist game. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised his young star's development, stating, "The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets. He displayed it all tonight."
Flagg Emerges as Dallas's Offensive Cornerstone
With veteran star Anthony Davis sidelined and other Mavericks out injured, the game offered a glimpse into a future built around Flagg. He has been in scintillating form, averaging 25.7 points over his last seven games. His aggression was on full display against Utah, earning him 20 trips to the free-throw line where he converted 15 attempts.
Flagg also displayed veteran savvy to force overtime. With seconds remaining, he intentionally missed a free throw with such a high bounce that teammate Max Christie grabbed the offensive rebound and drew a foul. "We were going to Coop. He was killing them the whole game," said teammate PJ Washington. "It doesn't surprise me at all. I know exactly what he's capable of. He's a special player so there will be a lot more to come."
Record Books Rewritten Amidst Personal Reflection
The historic night saw Flagg tie Mavericks legend Mark Aguirre for the most points scored by a rookie in franchise history. However, the Jazz's late 11-0 run and subsequent overtime dominance, where Flagg failed to score, left the rookie introspective. "I gotta be better. I had a couple of dumb turnovers, missed a couple easy ones," he said, prioritising execution over records.
For Flagg, these milestones are merely markers on the path to improvement. "I'm not really focused on a lot of that stuff (the records). I'm more just focused on being present, day to day, and trying to get better and getting our team as many wins as we can," he affirmed. While the record books now bear his name alongside LeBron James's, Cooper Flagg's eyes are fixed firmly on the team success that eluded him on his landmark night.
