Cooper Flagg delivered a night for the history books, even as the Dallas Mavericks fell to the Utah Jazz in overtime. The teenage star dazzled in Salt Lake City with a performance that rewrote NBA records despite his team’s defeat.
The Dallas Mavericks lost 140-133 to the Utah Jazz after overtime in a breathless contest. However, the spotlight belonged to Flagg, who produced a remarkable individual performance.
At just 18, Flagg became the youngest player ever to score 40 points in an NBA game. The number one draft pick finished with 42 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
Only Cliff Robinson, GG Jackson, and LeBron James scored more as teenagers. Meanwhile, Flagg matched Mark Aguirre’s long-standing Mavericks rookie scoring record. He also joined elite company in league history. Flagg became only the third teenager to post 40 points, five rebounds, and five assist.
Dallas appeared in control for long stretches of the game. They led 75-71 at halftime, with Flagg already pouring in 24 points. Late in the fourth quarter, the Mavericks held an eight-point advantage. However, loss of concentration in the defense allowed Utah to rally and flip the momentum.
Max Christie’s late free throws forced overtime for Dallas. Yet the Jazz dominated the extra period to secure their 10th win. Keyonte George led Utah with 37 points, while Lauri Markkanen added 33. As a result, the Jazz climbed to 10th in the Western Conference standings.
ALSO READ:
- LeBron James’ late heroics power Lakers past Suns in fiery Phoenix finish
- Haliburton and Mathurin shine as Pacers overcome Thunder to seize NBA Finals lead
- LeBron James sets historic NBA record after returning in Lakers’ win over Utah Jazz
- When nobody believed: 10 underdog stories that shook the world of sports
From high school star to NBA record-breaker
Flagg’s rise has been meteoric and carefully earned.He first gained attention after leading Nokomis Regional to a Maine state title.
He later transferred to Montverde Academy, where his reputation exploded nationally. During that time, he claimed USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year honors. Flagg also starred for the United States at the Under-17 World Cup where he helped secure gold and earned a place on the tournament’s all-star team.
Flagg averaged 19.2 points and guided the Blue Devils to the Final Four. Now in the NBA, his impact continues to grow rapidly. After 25 games, he averages 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists.
Although Dallas sits 12th in the conference, optimism surrounds their young star. Clearly, Cooper Flagg is not waiting for the future to arrive.
Tags: Cooper Flagg, NBA history, Keyonte George, Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz, Dallas Mavericks.
