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Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg etched his name into the NBA history books Monday night despite an overtime loss to the Utah Jazz.
Flagg scored 42 points in a 140-133 loss. He scored the most points by an 18-year-old player in NBA history, surpassing the previous mark set by LeBron James on December 13, 2003, when he was a rookie with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
However, the loss weighed on him more.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) drives toward the basket guarded by Utah Jazz forward Kyle Anderson (2) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
“Obviously we didn’t win. So it’s hard for me to want to be happy, or any of that, but it’s obviously a success,” Flagg said.
He also became the fifth rookie to record at least 40 points, five rebounds and five assists in the last 15 years. He finished with seven rebounds and six assists.
“We’ve come a long way since the start of the season, so I’m proud of this fourth quarter,” Flagg said. “It’s a new game…but I’m getting more and more comfortable…and I’m settling in, honestly, just being myself and letting the game come to me.”
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, right, looks to pass the ball under the guard of Utah Jazz guard Isaiah Collier, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
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Flagg also made history in November when he became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 35 points.
Ultimately, the Mavericks are 10-17 and in 12th place in the Western Conference. For Flagg, records are good, but doing it in a losing effort is not his goal.
“I’m not really focused on a lot of things (records). I’m more focused on being there, day by day, and trying to improve and get as many wins as possible for our team,” he said.
Utah is 10-15 this season and is 10th in the conference standings.
Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg, center, shoots over Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
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Keyonte George led the Jazz with 37 points while hitting five 3-pointers. Lauri Markkanen added 33 points and 16 rebounds.
