Dallas Mavericks coach Jason Kidd knows what Friday night means for Cooper Flagg, and he is not trying to dial it back.
Speaking to reporters before the Mavericks’ game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden, Kidd was candid about the significance of Flagg’s return to New England, where family, friends, and fans from his home state of Maine will be in the building to watch him play for the first time as a pro.
“I think it’s great that his family — not just his mom and dad and his brothers, but others — will be able to see him play tonight in person,” Kidd said. “That’s exciting.”
Cooper Flagg Back Where It All Started
Flagg, 19, grew up in Newport, Maine, a three-hour drive from Boston. TD Garden is the arena he attended as a kid, and the Celtics are the team he grew up watching. Friday marks his first professional appearance in that building. The 6-foot-9 rookie is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists through 50 games this season — and he already has history with this opponent. In the first meeting between the clubs on Feb. 3, Flagg put up 36 points on 9-for-14 shooting in a 110-100 Dallas loss.
Flagg said Thursday night that the moment is not lost on him.
“I know there are going to be a lot of people showing up for me and showing support,” Flagg said. “I’m really excited to be up there for the first time and play in that arena. It’s really the only arena I went to as a little kid.”
Kidd was asked whether Flagg might be too fired up for the moment — whether the coach has ever had to settle him down in high-stakes situations.
“No, not that I had to hold him back,” Kidd said. “I think at the age of 19 he’s very mature. He understands his surroundings, he understands what’s going on. He loves to play the game of basketball. So we will let him go as we did last night. We’ll let him go tonight because everything for him is to learn — to be able to control your emotions when you are playing in big games.”
Cooper Flagg’s Return a Jolt for the Dallas Mavericks
Kidd noted that Flagg returned from an eight-game absence Thursday in Orlando and delivered even with his legs still coming back under him. It was itself a homecoming of sorts — Flagg attended Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, before Duke, making the trip to Kia Center a return to the area where he spent two years of high school. The rookie finished with 18 points, five rebounds, six assists, and a career-high four blocks in 26 minutes, though the Mavericks fell 115-114 on the first leg of a back-to-back. Flagg had a putback and-one late and a potential go-ahead look that did not fall, with Wendell Carter Jr. dunking at the other end with 1.4 seconds left to seal it. Kidd said what stood out most was not the stat line.
“The biggest thing that stood out was just the energy that he brought to the group,” Kidd said. “Everything else that he did was at a high level, and he didn’t let that one area of his game affect what he does on the floor. That raises his teammates’ ability to play at a high level.”
When asked what has impressed him most about Flagg across the full season, Kidd pointed away from the box score entirely.
“I think the biggest thing is the love of the game,” Kidd said. “And when I say this, it’s not when he’s playing — but when he’s cheering on his teammates. Very rarely do you see that. Some might do it quietly, but he does it no matter if we’re down 30 or up 30. He’s all about his team.
“That’s something to see as a leader at the age of 18 or 19. To have that in your DNA makes you special. And that will only lead to being a champion in this league because other players want to play with you.”
Jayson Tatum’s Return Adds to the Moment
Kidd acknowledged the challenge ahead. The Celtics enter Friday second in the Eastern Conference at 41-21 and are expected to get Jayson Tatum back for his season debut after he tore his right Achilles last spring. Flagg cited Tatum as one of the players he modeled his game after growing up.
“He was one of the guys I grew up watching, kind of modeled my game after,” Flagg said. “His whole recovery has been nothing short of incredible. Just how hard he’s worked — you have to give him so much credit for being so driven. It’s going to be a really fun game. He’s someone I’ve always looked up to, and I’m excited to face off and compete against him.”
Kidd did not shy away from the magnitude of what awaits.
“Hopefully, he can deliver,” Kidd said of Flagg. “And understand that this is not an easy team to play against because they understand big games and big situations. So this is a great challenge for him.”
Dallas and Boston tip off Friday at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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