Cooper Flagg, an 18-year-old guard for the Dallas Mavericks, made headlines on Tuesday night by becoming the youngest player to score 35 points in a single NBA game. This outstanding accomplishment occurred while playing in an exhilarating matchup versus the Los Angeles Clippers inside the newly opened Intuit Dome. Flagg once again delivered a superstar performance, bringing the injury-depleted Mavericks to a 114-110 win over the packed house.
Right from the start of the game, Flagg made it clear that he was the best player on the court. He put up 12 points in the first quarter to start paving the way to what would turn into a historic night. By halftime, he had put up 21 points. He demonstrated his goal scoring prowess and poise under duress at a pressure packed session.
In the final few minutes of the fourth quarter, as the score remained close, Flagg cranked it up another notch. He scored eight crucial points in the final 2 minutes and 47 seconds, including a pivotal 28-footer with just 1:52 left on the clock. This basket helped lead the Mavericks to an insurmountable lead. That performance capped off an improbable and heroic playoff run that etched his legacy indelibly in NBA history.
In many ways, Flagg’s success is the product of his struggle. Earlier in the season, he had faced challenges during back-to-back games, including a previous outing against the Los Angeles Lakers where he recorded 11 assists—the most ever by an 18-year-old. Despite all that, he admitted that he wasn’t shooting the ball well through his first 20 outings.
I know that being aggressive is actually the right move for me at this moment in time, Flagg’s assessment after the game. That is precisely what Coach has been telling me.”
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd raved about Flagg’s maturity level and skill set. He said, “He’s 18 years old, but it doesn’t feel like he’s never been in this league.” While Kidd’s assessment may have been a bit complimentary, it does underscore the amazing poise that Flagg showed on both ends of the court during the game.
As we see Flagg become more and more refined as a player, it’s clear that the overall impact he has on his team is immeasurable. The Mavericks faced adversity on Tuesday night without several key players due to injuries, making Flagg’s performance even more critical. His propensity to deliver in clutch moments certainly hasn’t been missed by NFL experts and fans alike.
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