On a Christmas Day slate packed with star power, the spotlight naturally gravitated toward Klay Thompson facing his old squad. But it was another storyline-one that blended the league’s past with its future-that quietly stole the show: Steph Curry squaring off against Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg for the first time.
Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick, didn’t just show up-he showed out. In his Christmas Day debut, the 18-year-old dropped 27 points, grabbed six boards, and dished out five assists.
That’s not just a solid rookie outing under the holiday lights-that’s a statement. It marked his second straight game with 25-plus points, and he’s now averaging 19.2 points per game in his rookie campaign.
For a player still learning the rhythm of the NBA, Flagg is already playing like he belongs.
And Steph Curry sees it.
“The league is in good hands,” Curry said postgame, with the kind of respect that’s earned, not given. He’s had a front-row seat to Flagg’s rise, having seen him up close at his camp and during USA Basketball’s select team workouts. So when Curry praises Flagg’s feel for the game and maturity, it’s not just veteran lip service-it’s a nod from one of the game’s greatest to a rookie who’s already turning heads.
“The future’s bright,” Curry added. “Plays well, way beyond his years-just his basketball IQ, you can tell.
That’s gonna be a journey you’ll wanna stay locked in on. He’s going to be around for a long time.”
"That's gonna be a journey you'll wanna stay locked in on, he's going to be around for a long time."
— NBA (@NBA) December 26, 2025
Steph with even more praise for Cooper Flagg after playing against him for the first time 🏁 https://t.co/ONx7RNaZFA pic.twitter.com/hKiOgpd42j
That’s high praise from a two-time MVP and four-time champion, and it echoes what other stars around the league have been saying. Earlier this week, Nikola Jokić-no stranger to greatness himself-called Flagg “mature” after the rookie lit up the Nuggets for 33 points in a narrow win. Luka Dončić, the face of the Mavericks and Flagg’s teammate, has already dubbed the young forward a future star in Dallas.
You can see why. Flagg doesn’t just put up numbers-he plays with poise, confidence, and a presence that belies his age.
Curry summed it up perfectly: “That’s a true hooper, competitor. You forget how young he is, just his presence out there on the court.
I’m glad he got this experience his first year to understand what the bright lights feel like.”
Yes, the Mavericks dropped the game to Golden State, falling to 12-20 on the season. But if you’re Dallas, you’re not just looking at the standings-you’re looking at the foundation being laid. And right now, that foundation has Flagg’s fingerprints all over it.
The league has always been about passing the torch, and while Curry is still very much writing his own chapter, he-and the rest of the league-can see who’s waiting in the wings. Cooper Flagg isn’t just a name to watch. He’s already here, and he’s already making noise.