Cooper Flagg broke the record for the most points scored by an 18‑year‑old in NBA history with a 42‑point night, but the triumph was tempered by a 140‑133 loss to the Utah Jazz on Monday night.
Record‑Breaking Performance
Flagg eclipsed the previous 18‑year‑old benchmark of 37 points set by LeBron James on Dec. 13, 2003. He finished with seven rebounds and six assists, becoming just the fifth rookie in the last 15 years to record at least 40 points, five rebounds and five assists in a single game. “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,” said Flagg, who was nursing a bag of ice on his ankle after rolling it at the end of regulation.
Dallas coach Jason Kidd praised the young guard, saying, “The more time he spends on the floor, the more he sees, the better he gets. He displayed it all tonight.” The Mavericks’ offense was powered by Flagg’s aggressive play, which included 15 of 20 from the free‑throw line against Utah.
Recent Form and Numbers
Over the past seven games, Flagg has averaged 25.7 points per outing. He noted, “It’s come a long way from the start of the season, so I’m proud of that fourth quarter. It’s a new game … but I am getting more and more comfortable … and just settling in, honestly, just being myself and letting the game come to me.”
His scoring surge was highlighted by a 12‑point fourth quarter that kept the Mavericks in the game. The 18‑year‑old also orchestrated a pivotal play that forced overtime: he intentionally missed a free throw with a massive carom, allowing teammate Max Christie to rebound with 3.9 seconds left and draw a foul.
The Overtime and Injury Context
With Anthony Davis out and other Mavericks missing teammates due to injury, the game may signal a shift in the team’s offensive focus. “We were going to Coop. He was killing them the whole game, so they finally tried to double him,” said P.J. Washington. Washington added, “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.”
Despite his effort, the Jazz executed an 11‑0 run late in regulation and then dominated the overtime period, during which Flagg did not score. He reflected on the missed opportunities, stating, “I gotta be better. I had a couple of dumb turnovers, missed a couple easy ones, but I gotta be better, executing down the stretch like that.”
Legacy and Focus
Flagg tied Mark Aguirre for the most points by a rookie in Mavs history, underscoring his growing impact on the franchise. Yet he remains focused on day‑to‑day improvement rather than record‑keeping. “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 said.
Key Takeaways
- Cooper Flagg set an 18‑year‑old NBA scoring record with 42 points in a 140‑133 loss.
- The rookie averaged 25.7 points over his last seven games and shot 15‑of‑20 from the line.
- Despite the record, Flagg acknowledged mistakes and emphasized continuous improvement.
The Mavericks’ season will continue to hinge on Flagg’s development as the team navigates injuries and seeks more wins.
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