Dallas Mavericks teenage sensation Cooper Flagg continues to wow fans in this festive period, producing another exhilarating performance in the Mavs’ victory over Denver last night. Flagg produced 33 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists in the 130-131 win at the American Airlines Center. After the game, the 19-year-old revealed one demanding wish he’s hoping to get this Christmas.
Mavericks’ Cooper Flagg Reveals His Christmas Wish
Speaking to NBC, Flagg was asked, “What else is on your Christmas Wishlist this year?” He replied, “It’s all basketball related, all I want is more wins this Christmas.”
Wins have been hard to come by for the Mavericks this season, having only picked up 12 and losing an extremely disappointing 19 games to start the campaign. The Mavs have had plenty of close encounters this season, with youth and inexperience costing them in the fourth quarter.
During his interview post-game, Flagg reflected on their previous crunch time mishaps, saying, “We’re just learning from all these experiences, we’ve been in really close games, and we are just trying to learn from them.”
In Dallas’ defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 22, Jason Kidd’s team gave up 40 fourth-quarter points, with half of those coming from careless turnovers.
The Mavs’ offensive output as a team doesn’t make for great reading either, ranking 23rd in points per game (113.6), 23rd in assists per game (25.3), 28th in 3PT% (33.4), and 18th in opposition points per game (117.4).
Their fourth quarter collapses, and overall team stats don’t make for good reading, but could the return of one teammate be the Christmas miracle Flagg needed for the wish of more wins?
Since Anthony Davis returned from his injury absence in November, the Mavs have started to look like a more complete team, winning six and losing four since the start of the month.
Davis and Flagg are complementing each other perfectly as the pair combined for 64 points in the tightly fought contest against the Nuggets.
Davis brings defensive experience, know-how, and quality to the Dallas ranks, averaging nearly two blocks a game and 12.8 rebounds in December. With his elite defensive presence being felt for Flagg, the 19-year-old looked much more expressive in damaging the Nuggets inside and out.
Flagg created multiple highlight reel plays, but none were more incredible than his posterizing slam over Spencer Jones to give the Mavs a commanding lead in the third.
With Davis returning to his defensive best and Flagg continuing to elevate his game, the Mavericks are beginning to find some continuity on their home floor, picking up five straight wins.
Is Davis the key to unlocking Flagg’s Christmas wish of more wins as we continue through the festive period?
