After missing two games with an ankle injury, Cooper Flagg made his return to the Dallas Mavericks lineup Monday night-and he didn’t miss a beat. The rookie forward put together an impressive performance in the Mavericks’ 114-97 road win over the New York Knicks, reminding everyone why he’s firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation.
Flagg finished with 18 points, seven rebounds, and three assists in his return, showing no signs of rust. His energy popped off the screen-attacking the glass, moving confidently without the ball, and flashing the athleticism that’s made him one of the most exciting young players in the league.
“He looked good. The athleticism, the bounce, the spirit, the energy-it looked like he hadn’t been out,” Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd said postgame.
“When you’re shooting the ball the way we’ve shot it here of late, the court tends to open up. But even when we weren’t shooting this way, he was still able to get to the paint-that’s just how good he is.”
Kidd’s point about spacing is key. Dallas has been hot from deep recently, and that’s helped open driving lanes for Flagg, who thrives when he’s attacking downhill.
But what sets him apart is that even when the floor isn’t spaced perfectly, he’s still able to create offense. That’s not something you often see from a rookie.
Monday’s game also marked another milestone for Flagg-it was his first career appearance at Madison Square Garden. And while rookies can sometimes get caught up in the moment under the MSG lights, Flagg looked right at home.
The 19-year-old has been coming into his own as the season progresses. After a quieter start to his rookie campaign, he’s found his rhythm, and the numbers back it up.
Through 41 games, Flagg is averaging 18.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. He’s logging just over 33 minutes a night and shooting 47.8% from the field, 28.6% from three, and 80.7% from the free-throw line.
Those are big-time numbers for a first-year player-especially one who’s taken on such a prominent role for a Mavericks team with playoff aspirations. And while Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel is putting together a strong campaign of his own, Flagg is very much in the thick of the Rookie of the Year race.
With Monday’s win, Dallas extended its win streak to three games. They’ll look to keep the momentum rolling when they host the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. If Flagg continues to play at this level-and stays healthy-he could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.