Dallas Mavericks rookie sensation Cooper Flagg made more age-related NBA history during Tuesday’s 131-130 home victory over the Denver Nuggets.
With his latest stat sheet-stuffing performance, Flagg joined the company of Dallas’ former franchise cornerstone, Luka Dončić, easing some of the lingering sting of the superstar guard’s departure.
Cooper Flagg Matches Luka Dončić With Historic Teenage Stat Line
Flagg led the way against Denver, tallying a game-high 33 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, one steal, one block, and a career-high four 3-pointers, shooting an efficient 14-for-21 overall (66.7%). That marked the 2025 No. 1 pick’s third 30-point outing of the season.
22 of Flagg’s points came in the first half, during which he missed just one shot (9-for-10, 90%) as Dallas led by as many as 21 points.
The 19-year-old left his imprint on both ends of the court, thriving as a three-level scorer, playmaker, rebounder, and active defender.
In doing so, Flagg became just the second teenager to record at least 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in a single contest. He matched Dončić, whom the Mavericks infamously traded to the Los Angeles Lakers at last season’s trade deadline, indirectly paving the way for Flagg’s arrival in Dallas.
Willingly parting with Dončić, who leads the NBA in scoring this season (34.1 points per game), early in his prime will likely always remain an inexplicable decision. Still, Flagg’s development as a two-way prospect over the first couple of months of his career has reignited optimism among Mavericks fans.
Not only did Flagg emerge victorious going head-to-head with three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, but he also delivered when it mattered most, knocking down a clutch triple and floater to stave off the Nuggets’ late push.
After snapping Dallas’ two-game losing streak, Flagg stressed his squad’s “day-by-day” approach to “competing and playing really hard” despite being shorthanded.
In his walk-off interview, the rookie forward also made it clear that winning is his No. 1 priority when asked to share what’s on his “Christmas wish list.”
“I’m just thinking about basketball, I just wanna get some more wins,” Flagg shared. “That’s what’s on my wish list, I wanna get a bunch more wins.”
Flagg and the Mavericks (12-19) will look to fulfill his wish during Thursday’s Christmas Day road matchup against the Golden State Warriors (15-15).
