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On Monday night, Cooper Flagg continued to defy expectations for a player his age. The Dallas Mavericks forward, still just 19, delivered a spectacular performance with 43 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals, propelling his team to a 125-122 win over the Indiana Pacers. The victory came on the second night of a back-to-back for Dallas.
According to StatMuse, Flagg became the first teenager in NBA history to record at least 40 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a single game. Furthermore, by scoring over 35 points, he notched the seventh 35-point game of his career, tying LeBron James for the most such games by a teenager, as noted by Screwball NBA on X.
Flagg, who won't turn 20 until December 21, is already drawing comparisons to some of the game's greats. He finds himself in the company of James, the NBA's all-time leading scorer and a player many consider the greatest ever, as well as Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony.
The Mavericks are now 7-4 this season after sweeping their recent back-to-back set. With Flagg performing at a superstar level, Dallas could contend for a postseason berth if they stay healthy.
Key Analysis
Not long ago, the Mavericks' future appeared grim. The franchise traded Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis, Max Christie, and other role players, a move that left the team in a difficult position. They later dealt Davis for more spare parts, essentially admitting the Doncic trade was a failure. However, Flagg has emerged as the franchise's savior, providing a clear path to contention. If the Mavericks continue on this trajectory, they might soon be competing for the Larry O'Brien trophy.
Originally reported by yahoo.