DHJ Quick Take
- The “Clear-Cut” Choice: Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd declared Cooper Flagg the definitive NBA Rookie of the Year, citing a “historic year” that statistically outpaces past winners.
- Record-Breaking Half: Flagg dropped 20 first-half points against the Portland Trail Blazers, marking his 11th career 20-point half—more than the rest of the 2026 rookie class combined.
- The Duke Connection: Despite the award race, Flagg maintains a close “brotherhood” with fellow Duke University alumnus and Charlotte Hornets rookie Kon Knueppel.
PORTLAND, Ore. — Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd leaves little room for debate. Asked Friday night whether helping Cooper Flagg win Rookie of the Year is a priority for the organization, the coach was clear.
“Yeah, it’s a big priority,” Kidd said. “It’s a big award — you’re only a rookie once. Cooper has to do his part, and he is. He’s having a historic year. When you put his numbers up against past rookies who have won, it’s clear-cut — it’s not even close. Sometimes voting can be influenced differently — popularity, trends — but strictly based on numbers, Cooper is as good as anybody.”
“Yeah, it’s a big priority,” Kidd said. “It’s a big award — you’re only a rookie once. Cooper has to do his part, and he is. He’s having a historic year. When you put his numbers up against past rookies who have won, it’s clear-cut — it’s not even close.”
Analyzing Cooper Flagg’s Historic Statistical Pace With Dallas Mavericks
Flagg backed up those words Friday with 24 points, including 20 in the first half on 7-of-11 shooting, in a 100-93 win over the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center. It was his 11th career 20-point half — more than the rest of this year’s rookie class combined, per Elias Sports Bureau.
Over his last three games, Flagg is averaging 27.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while shooting 57.4% from the field. Since the All-Star break, he is averaging 20.6 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists in 13 games. For the season, he is averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.7 assists in 62 games — numbers that, as Kidd noted, stack up favorably against any rookie season in recent memory.
Flagg said the rhythm that has defined his recent stretch was missing for a period after he returned from injury.
“I thought before I got hurt, I had an incredible rhythm, and everything was just feeling — I don’t want to say easy — but just a great rhythm,” Flagg said. “When I came back, it was tough just getting your foot back in and getting your rhythm back.”
Cooper Flagg Evaluates the Rookie of the Year Race with Kon Knueppel
Flagg’s Duke teammate Kon Knueppel of the Charlotte Hornets is among the names mentioned in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Flagg said their friendship has not been affected by the race.
“No, we don’t talk about Rookie of the Year at all. Not at all,” Flagg said. “But I’ve definitely kept in touch with him throughout the whole year. That’s one of my brothers, and he’ll be one of my best friends the rest of my life.”
The Blue Devils had beaten St. John’s University 80-75 in the Sweet 16 earlier Friday, before Dallas even tipped off. When asked if there was a touch of Blue Devil magic at Moda Center, Flagg grinned.
“I guess so. Two Duke wins, so I mean… the Dallas Blue Devil was one as well,” Flagg joked.
Jason Kidd Highlights the Physical Tools Separating Cooper Flagg from the Field
Kidd pointed to a specific sequence just before halftime as a window into what separates Flagg from the field — a dead sprint up the court against Jrue Holiday in which Flagg, carrying the ball, simply outran one of the quickest defenders in the league.
“Right before halftime, it was a race between him and Holiday,” Kidd said. “Holiday didn’t have the ball; he just had to run. Cooper had the ball, and Cooper left him. It was pretty impressive because Holiday is one of the quicker defenders.”
Flagg has now logged 62 games, carrying a shorthanded Dallas roster through injuries and a 12-game home losing streak. Through all of it, his approach has not changed.
“I said that at the start of the year — if I go out there and be myself, everything else will work itself out,” Flagg said.
The Mavericks return home to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night at 7:30 p.m. CT at American Airlines Center.
More Cooper Flagg Coverage From Dallas Hoops Journal
- ‘Big Win On The Road’: Dallas Mavericks Snap Five‑Game Skid Behind Marvin Bagley III’s 26 In 100–93 Win Over Portland Trail Blazers
- ‘I Can Learn A Lot From Him’: Cooper Flagg Reacts To Nikola Jokić’s Historic Game Against Dallas Mavericks
- Cooper Flagg Passes Kevin Durant And Luka Dončić With Eighth Career 30-Point Game
- ‘I’ve Learned A Lot’: Khris Middleton Is Helping Cooper Flagg Grow As A Professional Scorer
- Cooper Flagg Passes Luka Dončić For Second‑Most 15‑5‑5 Games By A Teenager In NBA History
- ‘I Like Making The Right Play’: Cooper Flagg Shows Decision‑Making Beyond His Years As NBA’s Youngest Player
