Cooper Flagg, at just 18 years old, wrote another chapter in NBA history by becoming the youngest player to score 40 or more points in a game, though his Dallas Mavericks fell 140-133 in overtime to the Utah Jazz. The rookie forward finished with 42 points, seven rebounds, and six assists at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Only a handful of teenagers have ever reached or surpassed the 40-point mark in league play: Cliff Robinson with 45, GG Jackson with 44, and LeBron James with 43. Flagg also tied a Mavericks rookie record held by Mark Aguirre. With his 19th birthday approaching on Sunday, he becomes the third teenager in NBA history—joining James and Kevin Durant—not only to drop 40 points but also to grab five rebounds and dish five assists in a single game.
Dallas started strong, holding a 75-71 halftime lead as Flagg racked up 24 points. They extended the advantage to 124-116 late in the fourth quarter. Yet a collapse allowed Utah to surge ahead, and after the Mavericks’ eight-point cushion evaporated, the game was tied at 129-127. Max Christie calmly knocked down two free throws with under five seconds left to force overtime.
The Jazz dominated the extra period, clinching their 10th win of the season behind Keyonte George’s 37 points and Lauri Markkanen’s 33. Utah sits 10th and Dallas 12th in the Western Conference.
Who is Cooper Flagg?
Flagg stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and made history as the first freshman named Maine Player of the Year after guiding Nokomis Regional High to the state title in 2021. He then transferred to Montverde Academy in Florida, earning USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2022 and National High School Player of the Year recognition in 2024.
He was part of the USA squad that won the 2022 Under-17 World Cup and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. In 2024-25, Flagg averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists in a 37-game debut season for Duke University, helping the Blue Devils reach the Final Four and earning National College Player of the Year honors. Flagg joined the Mavericks for his NBA introduction in October, starting against the San Antonio Spurs, and enters his current stretch averaging 17.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists across 25 games.
