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Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg etched his name into the history books Friday.
Flagg, 19, became the first teenager in NBA history to score more than 50 points in a game, scoring 51 points in the team’s 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center. Even though Flagg himself had a great match, for him, victory is his main goal.
“It’s always fun to get into this type of fashion,” Flagg said. “The basket looks big. My teammates look out for you and help you. But I like to win. That was my main goal. It’s hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we’re down 20, 10, 15, for the majority of the game.”
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg watches from the bench during the second quarter against the Orlando Magic at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on April 3, 2026. (Jérôme Miron/Imagn Images)
Flagg scored 24 points in the fourth quarter after head coach Jason Kidd and teammate Naji Marshall were ejected after complaining about a non-call on the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg appreciated the support from his coach and teammates.
“It’s great to see,” Flagg said. “I already know that coach has my back and Naji… I know he has my back, for sure. Just seeing their emotion, seeing them fighting for me and fighting for the calls. Definitely some emotion, and that motivated me even more.”
LAKERS SUPERSTAR LUKA DONČIĆ SUFFERS SEASON-ENDING INJURY
Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd speaks with referee Eric Lewis after his ejection in the second half of an NBA game against the Orlando Magic in Dallas, Texas, April 3, 2026. (Tony Gutiérrez/AP Photo)
The Mavericks were down 30 when Flagg began his scoring barrage in the fourth quarter in what ended up being their 14th straight home loss. It was the longest home losing streak since the Mavericks lost the first 19 games at the since-demolished Reunion Arena in 1993-94.
Flagg, who in 65 games this season has averaged 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game, is in a heated race with former Duke teammate and Charlotte Hornets forward Kon Knueppel for rookie of the year honors. Kidd thinks Flagg should win the award, comparing him to Michael Jordan.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg passes the ball past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. during the first quarter at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on April 3, 2026. (Jérôme Miron/Imagn Images)
“He should be rookie of the year,” Kidd said. “It’s amazing. The country doesn’t watch the same thing that we watch on a daily basis. He’s in rare air. He’s with the GOAT when you talk about MJ and what he did in his first year. And as a teenager, seeing what Cooper is doing, just the excitement, the joy, playing the game, winning or losing, his mind is winning. Right now, that’s not the case.”
Flagg’s rookie season will continue when the Mavericks (24-53) host the Los Angeles Lakers (50-27) on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET.
