Cooper Flagg isn’t just arriving in the NBA - he’s crashing through the front door like he owns the place. At just 19 years old, the Dallas Mavericks rookie is doing things we’ve never seen from a teenager, not even from the likes of LeBron James or Kevin Durant. And while the Mavs are mired in a tough stretch, Flagg is giving Dallas fans more than just hope - he’s giving them history.
In Tuesday night’s 110-100 loss to the Boston Celtics, Flagg dropped 36 points, grabbed nine boards, and dished out six assists. That performance made him the first teenager in NBA history to score 30 or more in three consecutive games.
Let that sink in. Not even the most hyped teenage phenoms of the past managed that.
Flagg isn’t just living up to the hype - he’s redefining it.
This scoring tear started with a 39-point outburst against the Hornets, followed by another 39-point night - this time with a double-double - against the Rockets. And while Dallas hasn’t been able to turn those fireworks into wins, dropping four straight, Flagg has been the lone constant in a lineup missing both Anthony Davis and Kyrie Irving. With both stars sidelined due to long-term injuries, the rookie has been asked to carry a veteran-heavy roster - and he’s doing it with poise well beyond his years.
Against Boston, Flagg stayed aggressive and efficient, slicing through one of the league’s top defenses with a mix of power, footwork, and shot-making that’s already becoming his signature. He’s not just putting up numbers - he’s doing it against elite competition.
The Celtics, deep and disciplined, eventually pulled away behind another monster night from Jaylen Brown, who poured in 33 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Boston also rolled out their newest addition, veteran big man Nikola Vucevic, acquired from the Bulls just hours before tip-off.
But even with all that firepower, Flagg made them work for it.
Dallas hung tight early, trailing just 32-29 after the first quarter, but the lack of depth eventually caught up with them. Still, the story wasn’t the final score - it was Flagg’s continued ascent. He shot 13-of-25 from the field, attacking with confidence and showing the kind of offensive polish that usually takes years to develop.
Now averaging nearly 20 points per game, Flagg has already shattered the single-game scoring record for a teenager. And while the Mavericks sit at 19-30, sliding in the Western Conference standings, the bigger picture is clear: the Cooper Flagg Era has arrived, and it’s ahead of schedule.
The wins may not be there yet, but Dallas has found its cornerstone - a 19-year-old phenom who’s not just making noise, he’s making history. Every time Flagg steps on the floor, he’s doing something that forces you to sit up and pay attention. And if this is just the beginning, the league better get ready - because Cooper Flagg is only getting started.