Cooper Flagg has done something Kevin Durant and Luka Dončić never did as teenagers. Flagg scored 32 points Monday night against the Golden State Warriors, recording his eighth career 30-point game and breaking a three-way tie with Durant and Dončić for the third-most such games by a teenager in NBA history. The 19-year-old Dallas Mavericks forward went 12-of-19 from the field with nine assists and two steals in a 137-131 overtime loss at American Airlines Center.
Only LeBron James (20) and Carmelo Anthony (10) have more. Flagg’s eight lead all NBA rookies this season. Durant is a two-time NBA champion and four-time scoring champion. Dončić is set to lead the NBA in scoring for a second time as he finishes out the season with the Los Angeles Lakers. Flagg has now passed both of them before turning 20.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd felt Flagg was finding the right balance between scoring and playmaking for his teammates against the Warriors.
“He was rolling,” Kidd said. “Being able to make plays for others as much as Cooper was scoring — he used his teammates well.”
Flagg shared how Khris Middleton — who was acquired via trade from the Washington Wizards in February — has helped his development.
“He’s great. I’ve learned a lot from Khris. He’s a professional scorer and has been around the league for a long time,” Flagg said. “I’m trying to take parts of that side of the game from him and learn in those aspects. He has a lot to teach me, so I’m excited to be able to learn from him.”
Through 60 games this season, Flagg is averaging 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.6 assists in 33.8 minutes per night. Dallas blew a 15-point lead Monday, committed 21 turnovers, and extended its home losing streak to 12 games. The record is 23-49.
“He’s slowing the game down. He’s reading the defense really well,” Max Christie said of Flagg. “When he gets into his backdowns and his moves, he’s taking his time more — he’s not rushed. He’s still making the right play. That’s the first sign of growth. Teams try to speed him up and force turnovers, but his ability to slow the game down, get to his spots, and rise over guys — he’s just going to keep getting better.”
Flagg said the instinct traces back further than any coaching.
“It’s just been instilled in me since I was young. Obviously, my parents played a part in that,” Flagg said. “For me, I like making the right play, the simple play.”
James set the teenage 30-point record across his first six seasons with Cleveland before turning 20 in December 2004. Anthony reached double digits during his one season at Syracuse and the first two years in Denver. Flagg got there in 60 NBA games.
“It doesn’t happen overnight,” Kidd said. “They have to go through the trials of failure and success. We’re not looking at it as failure — Cooper’s doing a lot of good, the ball just hasn’t bounced our way.”
Flagg has eight 30-point games. He has not yet turned 20.
Latest Dallas Mavericks News & NBA Rumors
- New NBA Mock Draft Links Dallas Mavericks To Guard Compared To Jamal Murray
- ‘I Like Making The Right Play’: Cooper Flagg Shows Decision‑Making Beyond His Years As NBA’s Youngest Player
- ‘We’ve Got To Be Sharper’: Dallas Mavericks Blow 15‑Point Lead, Lose In OT Against Golden State Warriors As Moses Moody Suffers Scary Injury
- Dallas Mavericks Hope To Hire Permanent General Manager Before NBA Draft, Rick Welts Says
- Dereck Lively II Progressing After Foot Surgery As Dallas Mavericks Center Targets 2026‑27 Return
- ‘Hoping By July’: Rick Welts Sets Target For Dallas Mavericks’ New Arena Decision
- ‘I Like Where Things Are Headed’: Khris Middleton Open To Future With Dallas Mavericks
