Cooper Flagg Shines in Christmas Day Spotlight, Even as Mavs Fall to Warriors
The Mavericks may have come up short on the scoreboard Thursday night in San Francisco, but Cooper Flagg continues to prove that he’s anything but your average rookie. On a national stage, under the bright lights of a Christmas Day showcase, the No. 1 overall pick delivered another standout performance: 27 points on an efficient 13-of-21 shooting, six rebounds, five assists, and a block in 36 minutes of action.
That kind of stat line isn’t just impressive-it’s historic. According to the Mavericks, Flagg became only the third rookie in NBA history to post at least 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a Christmas Day game.
The only names ahead of him? Oscar Robertson in 1960 and Pete Maravich in 1970.
That’s elite company-two Hall of Famers, each known for redefining the game in their own eras. Now, Flagg’s name is etched alongside theirs.
And it wasn’t just the numbers doing the talking. Warriors superstar Stephen Curry, who’s seen more than his fair share of rising stars come and go, had high praise for the 19-year-old phenom after the game.
“Just a true hooper,” Curry said. “Competitor.
We forget how young he is, just his presence out there on the court. The future is bright.
I’m glad he got this experience his first year to understand what the bright lights feel like. The league is in good hands.”
That’s not just lip service from a veteran. Curry knows what it means to carry expectations and still deliver. And in Flagg, he sees something real-something that could shape the league for years to come.
Mavericks Dealing With More Than Just a Loss
While Flagg’s performance was the headline, the Mavericks were dealt a tough blow elsewhere. Star big man Anthony Davis exited the game with a right groin strain, and while the injury is being described as relatively mild, he’s expected to miss multiple games.
The injury also has award-season implications. Davis, who has now missed 16 games this season, is officially ineligible for major postseason honors.
According to league rules, players must appear in at least 65 games and meet specific minute requirements to qualify. Davis has also left two additional games early due to injury, failing to hit the 15-minute threshold in either-further complicating his eligibility.
Injury management has been a recurring theme in Davis’ career, and this latest setback adds to a long list. Per data from Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com, this marks the 13th groin-related injury of Davis’ 14-year NBA tenure.
On average, he’s missed about 2.7 games-or eight days-per groin injury, which is actually slightly better than the league-wide average for this type of strain (3.6 games and 9.7 days). Still, for a Mavericks team trying to keep pace in a loaded Western Conference, even a short absence from Davis is significant.
Klay Thompson’s Return to the Bay Comes Without the Emotion
Thursday’s Christmas Day matchup also marked another return to the Bay Area for Klay Thompson, who joined the Mavericks via sign-and-trade a year and a half ago. Once a cornerstone of Golden State’s dynasty, Thompson’s homecoming was expected to carry some emotional weight. But if there were any lingering feelings, Thompson made it clear they’ve long since faded.
“They are an opponent,” Thompson said postgame. “Why would I look at any other team other than the Mavericks like that? It’s just the nature of the business.”
Thompson finished with seven points on 3-of-8 shooting in 26 minutes-quiet numbers for a player who once lit up the Chase Center with historic shooting nights. But his comments reflect a player who’s fully focused on his present, not his past. The Mavericks are his team now, and sentimentality won’t get in the way of the mission ahead.
Bottom Line
The Mavericks didn’t get the win, but they walked away from Christmas Day with a glimpse of their future-and it looks bright. Cooper Flagg continues to impress not just with his numbers, but with the poise and presence of a player far beyond his years.
As for the rest of the roster, staying healthy will be key, especially with Davis sidelined again. The West is unforgiving, and every game matters.
But if Flagg keeps ascending like this? Dallas might just have the kind of foundational star that can change everything.