Not long ago, many around the NBA were already questioning if Cooper Flagg was as good as advertised. His early games were uneven, and critics were quick to say he wasn’t living up to the hype. But as the season has gone on, Flagg has started stacking historic numbers.
He now has more games with at least 15 points, two steals, and two blocks as an 18-year-old than any player in league history. That kind of impact is hard to ignore. Now, after the Dallas Mavericks’ recent win over the Houston Rockets, even Kevin Durant is making his respect clear.
Kevin Durant Had Nothing but Praise for Cooper Flagg
After the loss in Dallas, Durant was asked how it felt to face Flagg for the second time this season. The veteran star didn’t hold back his admiration.
“Just from watching his film, he’s finally figuring it out… He can shoot the jump shot off the middy, he can shoot the 3, he can get to the rim. I love his game,” said Durant during the postgame interview.
During the game, Durant was able to score 27 points on 11/20 shooting. His shot-making kept every Dallas rotation honest. It also forced them to stay locked in on him. His shot-making kept every Dallas rotation honest, forcing them to stay locked in on him.
On the other side, the Mavs had the answers. If we see Anthony Davis controlled the interior battle as he finished with 29 points on 14-of-19 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds in just 30 minutes. Davis’s presence inside gave the Mavericks a steady scoring option near the rim. Flagg was the other key piece. He stepped up with 19 points of his own. He provided the kind of two-way boost that has started to define his rookie year.
From the beginning, only the Mavericks looked like the sharper team. They went on to have an early edge as they had a three-point lead after the first quarter. The Rockets fought back. By halftime, the game was deadlocked at (57-57). However, Dallas completely took control just after halftime.
The Mavericks ripped the game open, building a lead that Houston could not overcome. By the time the final buzzer sounded, the Rockets were on the wrong side of a blowout, and Dallas’ young star had once again made his presence felt.
The Rockets and Mavericks will meet again on Jan. 3 for the third time this season and all eyes will be on Durant and Flagg to see if they can deliver another memorable showdown.
