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Cooper Flagg’s first season in the NBA didn’t go as planned and the rookie admitted it was difficult.
Flagg, 19, has enjoyed considerable personal success this season and is in the running for NBA Rookie of the Year. However, the Dallas Mavericks haven’t had much success, as they have a 24-52 record and are nowhere near playoff contention.
“Obviously it’s been tough. Like you said, you know, high school, college, I mean, I only lost four games last year. So there were times during the season where it was, you know, very mentally taxing for me,” Flagg said during a recent appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) controls the ball in the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Dallas, Texas, Monday, March 30, 2026. (Gareth Patterson/AP Photo)
Anthony Davis only played 20 games with the Mavericks before suffering a hand injury and was eventually traded to the Washington Wizards. Star point guard Kyrie Irving tore his ACL last season and has not played this season.
Flagg hopes he can look back on the tough times and say he learned from them.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) battles against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo)
“I just haven’t had the success I would have hoped for, and obviously we’ve had a lot of injuries and a lot of unfortunate things happening throughout the year. It’s obviously not been ideal. I’ve had some growth along the way, and I’ve had to improve and learn on the fly, but definitely not the start I would have liked. Hopefully one day I can look back on it and know that I was able to learn a lot,” Flagg said.
Flagg said he was thrown out there and into the fire more than he expected, but he said it helped him develop and become more confident and comfortable.
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Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) battles against Milwaukee Bucks guard AJ Green (20) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (Jeffrey Phelps/AP Photo)
In 64 games, the Newport, Maine native averaged 20.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1.2 steals and nearly a block per game.
Flagg’s rookie season will continue when the Mavericks take on the Orlando Magic (40-36) on Friday at 8:30 p.m. ET.
