Despite a rocky 11-17 start to the season that has left many Dallas Mavericks fans scratching their heads, there is one undeniable reason for optimism: Cooper Flagg. The number one overall pick has done more than just live up to the “generational talent” label he carried out of Duke, he has obliterated the expectations set for him. At just 18 years old, Flagg has already cemented his place in the history books across only 27 games.
He became the youngest player in NBA history to record 10 assists in a single game (dishing out 11 against the Lakers) and the youngest to ever drop 40 points, exploding for 42 against the Utah Jazz. In both instances, he managed to surpass the milestones previously held by LeBron James, proving that his game is far more mature than his age suggests.
Cooper Flagg Joins the 500-Point Club with LeBron and Kobe
In the Mavericks’ most recent outing, Flagg once again took the wheel, leading the team with 23 points in a gritty 116-115 overtime victory over the Eastern Conference’s top-seeded Detroit Pistons. Beyond the scoring, Flagg secured his fourth double-double of the season by grabbing 10 rebounds and swatting three blocks, making him the youngest player in league history to post that specific stat line.
This sustained production has placed him in the rarest of air. With 502 total points through 27 games, Flagg joins Kobe Bryant (539) and LeBron James (625) as the only players in NBA history to eclipse the 500-point mark before their 19th birthday. With his 19th birthday coming up this Sunday, Flagg has only one game left as an 18-year-old-this Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.
While catching LeBron’s 625 points is mathematically out of reach (James played 31 games before turning 19), Flagg needs 38 points against Philly to surpass Kobe for second place all-time. Regardless of where he finishes, the numbers are staggering as he currently sits second only to LeBron in 20-point games by an 18-year-old, with 11 compared to the King’s 14.
Can Flagg Lead the Mavericks Back to the Playoffs?
The arrival of Cooper Flagg in Dallas was the direct result of the high-stakes trade that sent Luka Doncic to the Lakers, a move that left many wondering how the Mavericks would fill the void of a perennial MVP candidate. While Doncic currently leads the league in scoring, Flagg is rapidly proving he has the “clutch gene” required to lead a franchise.
His game-winning buckets against the Pistons were no fluke; Flagg currently ranks fourth in the NBA in clutch points (points scored in the final five minutes of a game or overtime when the score is within five points) with 62. He trails only MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Cade Cunningham, and Tyrese Maxey, but he distinguishes himself as the only player in that group shooting over 58% from the field in those high-pressure moments.
As the Mavericks wait for Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis to fully return to the lineup and find their rhythm alongside the rookie, the potential for a late-season surge is palpable. If Dallas can stay healthy, Flagg’s historic individual run could soon translate into the team success required to climb back into the Western Conference playoff picture.
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