Cooper Flagg Makes History with Career-High Night, Showing Why the Mavericks Are All-In on Their Rookie Star
It’s been a rollercoaster of a rookie season for Cooper Flagg, but lately, the No. 1 overall pick has found his stride-and Monday night in Utah, he made sure the whole league took notice.
Facing the Jazz on the road at Delta Center, Flagg delivered his most complete performance yet, erupting for a career-high 38 points. The moment that sealed it?
A gutsy isolation play late in the fourth quarter, where he faced up fellow rookie Ace Bailey on the right wing. Flagg attacked off the dribble, absorbed contact, and floated in a tough bucket-his 36th point of the night.
That shot not only set a new personal best, but it also put him in elite company.
With that basket, Flagg surpassed LeBron James for the most points scored in a single game by an 18-year-old. James had dropped 37 against the Celtics back in 2003, a performance that helped launch his legendary career. Now, Flagg has etched his name into that same historic conversation.
The performance is the latest in a string of strong outings from Flagg, who’s quickly rewriting the narrative after a shaky start to the season. Early on, there were whispers-was the hype too much, too soon? But the former Duke standout has quieted those doubts with poise, polish, and a level of maturity rare for someone his age.
Flagg’s game is already showing signs of being NBA-ready. He’s not just scoring-he’s doing it efficiently, in rhythm, and in the flow of the offense.
He’s attacking mismatches, finishing through contact, and showing a deep bag of offensive tools. Whether it’s knocking down a mid-range jumper, slashing to the rim, or creating space off the dribble, Flagg looks increasingly comfortable taking on the scoring burden.
And that’s important, because the Mavericks are asking a lot of him. With Kyrie Irving still sidelined as he recovers from an ACL injury, and with Anthony Davis taking on a more measured role, Flagg has stepped up-not just as a contributor, but as a focal point. The franchise sees him as the face of its future, and performances like this only reinforce why.
Dallas’ Cooper Flagg just set a single-game NBA scoring record for 18-year-olds with 39 points and counting at Utah … surpassing LeBron James’ 37-point game as an 18-year-old in 2003.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) December 16, 2025
Flagg turns 19 on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/vdf1mHJH68
What’s been just as impressive as the stat lines is how Flagg has approached the challenge. Coaches and teammates have praised his work ethic and competitive fire-two traits that don’t show up in the box score but are crucial for long-term success.
He’s not shying away from the moment. He’s embracing it.
In a season clouded by uncertainty following Luka Dončić’s departure, Flagg has emerged as a bright spot for Dallas. He’s giving fans something to believe in-a glimpse of a new era, one that could be built around his talent, toughness, and tenacity.
It’s still early, and the road ahead will have its bumps. But nights like this are why the Mavericks went all-in on Cooper Flagg. And if this is just the beginning, Dallas might have something special on its hands.