The Dallas Mavericks are deep in the middle of a rough stretch, now on a seven-game losing skid following Saturday night’s 138-125 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. That game was a defensive mess, no doubt, but it's not all doom and gloom in Dallas. Despite the losses piling up, there’s been a silver lining - and his name is Cooper Flagg.
Cooper Flagg Is Already Making NBA History
It’s not often a rookie lives up to the hype. It’s even rarer when they blow right past it.
But that’s exactly what Cooper Flagg is doing. Over a four-game stretch from January 29 to February 5, Flagg went on an absolute tear, putting up 49, 34, 36, and 32 points in consecutive games against the Hornets, Rockets, Celtics, and Spurs.
That’s 151 points in four games - a number no rookie has touched in nearly three decades, not since Allen Iverson did it back in 1997.
But it’s not just the scoring. Flagg’s rebounding numbers - 10, 12, 9, and 6 boards in those same games - put him in elite company. He’s now the first rookie since Michael Jordan in 1985 to record four straight games with at least 30 points and five rebounds.
And here’s the kicker: Flagg is now officially the youngest player in NBA history to score 30 or more in four straight games. That’s not just impressive - that’s generational talent territory.
The questions about his offensive polish coming into the league? Those are fading fast.
What we’re seeing now is a player evolving in real time, and doing it with a level of poise and confidence that’s rare for a rookie.
Flagg isn’t just putting up numbers - he’s shifting the energy in Dallas. Even in losses, he’s giving fans a reason to tune in. And in a season that’s starting to feel like a grind, that matters.
Marvin Bagley Makes a Loud First Impression
While Flagg continues to write his own chapter in the history books, another former Duke Blue Devil made a bit of Mavericks history himself on Saturday night. Marvin Bagley, fresh off his arrival in the Anthony Davis trade, wasted no time making an impact in his Dallas debut.
Coming off the bench, Bagley delivered a stat-stuffing line: 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and four blocks. That’s a strong outing no matter the context - but doing it in your first game with a new team? That’s how you introduce yourself.
Dig a little deeper and you'll find a franchise record buried in that performance. Eight of Bagley’s 12 rebounds came on the offensive glass, breaking Chris Gatling’s nearly 30-year-old Mavs record of six offensive boards in a single game. That’s the kind of hustle stat that gets noticed in the locker room - and by the front office.
Bagley’s arrival wasn’t the headline-grabber at the trade deadline - most of the chatter around Dallas was about cap flexibility and avoiding the second apron. But performances like this raise an interesting question: could Bagley be more than just a short-term rental?
He’s a former No. 2 overall pick, still just 27, and while he’s a bit undersized for a traditional center, he’s shown he can hold his own in small-ball lineups and play a solid power forward role. With Daniel Gafford’s future in flux and Dereck Lively dealing with injuries, Bagley could carve out a niche in this rotation. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer, and if he keeps this up, the Mavs might have a decision to make.
And let’s not overlook the Duke connection. Bagley joins a Dallas roster already featuring Kyrie Irving, Tyus Jones, Cooper Flagg, and Lively - all former Blue Devils. There’s some built-in chemistry there, and if Bagley wants to stick around, he might just find a home in Dallas.
Looking Ahead
The losing streak is real, and the Mavs have work to do if they want to turn the season around. But in the midst of the struggle, Cooper Flagg is emerging as a legitimate star in the making, and Marvin Bagley is showing he might still have more to offer than people thought.
For a team searching for answers, those are two developments worth watching.