Cooper Flagg represents both the present and future of the Dallas Mavericks. His standout 35-point game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday placed him alongside LeBron James as one of the only 18-year-olds to score 30 or more points in the NBA. Flagg achieved this feat at 18 years and 343 days old, just days older than when James first reached the mark at 18 years and 334 days.
Flagg stands alone as the only player of that age to score 35 points in a game. In that outing, he shot 13 of 22, grabbed eight rebounds, and dished out two assists, helping secure a 114-110 win. This milestone followed his record-setting performance against the Lakers the day before, where he became the youngest player in NBA history to record 10 assists in a game, setting age-related NBA records for both points and assists in consecutive games.
After the Mavericks dismissed general manager Nico Harrison—a move implicitly acknowledging the disastrous trades involving Luka Doncic and Anthony Davis—the team’s clear priority is building Flagg into a superstar. The Mavericks currently hold a 6-15 record.
Last spring, the Mavericks won the draft lottery and were fortunate to select Flagg, one of the most highly anticipated prospects since LeBron James. The team chose to keep their picks instead of trading them away and entrusted Flagg with starting point guard duties due to a lack of depth at the position.
Playing in the NBA as an 18-year-old is challenging, especially as a primary ball handler on a team aiming for a championship. Flagg’s start was rocky, averaging 13.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 turnovers while shooting 40.3% from the field and 27.3% from three-point range through his first 10 games. However, over the next 10 games, he improved to 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.0 turnovers while shooting 51.3% from the field, though his three-point percentage dipped slightly to 23.7%. While these are still early numbers, it’s rare for teenage players to adjust so quickly to the NBA.
Flagg’s early NBA success was made possible by his accelerated high school path and early admission to Duke University at 17. Aside from LeBron James, few players have developed into effective starters at such a young age. For an all-around talent like Flagg, the comparisons to James are well-earned.
Fan Take: Cooper Flagg’s early accomplishments signal a potential new NBA superstar in the making, offering fans an exciting glimpse into the league’s future. His rapid rise not only brings hope to Mavericks supporters but also reminds basketball enthusiasts of the thrilling impact young prodigies can have on the sport.
