DALLAS - The buzz around Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg is undeniable. Not only is he making waves on the court, but he's also stepping into the national spotlight with an upcoming appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" this Monday at 10:30 p.m.
CT. Joining him on the show will be comedian Tracy Morgan, actress Neve Campbell, and the South Korean girl group TWICE, adding a touch of entertainment flair to his rising fame.
Flagg's debut season with the Mavericks has been nothing short of spectacular. The 6-foot-9 "point-forward" is already turning heads with his impressive stats: averaging 20.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His shooting efficiency is notable too, with a 48.2 percent field goal percentage and 80.4 percent from the free-throw line.
Drafted first overall in 2025, Flagg was seen as the successor to Luka Doncic, who was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers last year. And he's living up to the hype.
He became the youngest player in NBA history to notch 40 points in a game and later set a teenage single-game scoring record with 49 points in January. That performance, which included 10 rebounds, made him the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1985 to achieve such a feat.
Flagg also strung together four consecutive 30-point games, becoming the youngest to do so. During this hot streak, he joined elite company by scoring at least 150 points over four games, a feat last accomplished by a rookie in 1997, Allen Iverson.
Currently, Flagg is nursing a left foot sprain, listed as day-to-day by the Mavericks. As they sit at 19-36 and 12th in the Western Conference, the Mavs are gearing up for the second half of the season.
Their upcoming schedule includes games against the Pacers on Sunday and the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. Flagg's appearance on national TV isn't just a nod to his growing fame but also a chance for the NBA to shine in a broader cultural context.