Dallas Mavericks star Cooper Flagg made NBA history on Monday night with a dominant performance against the Indiana Pacers. The 19-year-old forward scored a season-high 43 points, helping his team secure a 125-122 victory. With just over 30 seconds remaining, Flagg took a pass from Naji Marshall after an offensive rebound, assessed the defense, and executed a mid-range jumper over Andrew Nembhard. That basket gave Dallas a four-point lead with 26 seconds left, sealing the win and capping off a third consecutive victory for the Mavericks, who improved their record to 7-4.
Flagg’s performance was not just about the final score; it was a statistical milestone. He became the first teenager in NBA history to record five games with 40 or more points. This achievement places him in rare company, as no one else besides LeBron James and Anthony Edwards has more than one such game as a teenager. Flagg’s total matches the combined total of those two stars. Furthermore, he is now third all-time in total points scored before turning 20, trailing only Kobe Bryant and James. He also joined Kevin Durant as the only teenagers to record a game with 40 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists.
Despite missing time earlier in the season due to a flagrant foul in the first game against Indiana and a poor shooting night against the Sacramento Kings, Flagg has averaged 25.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 2.2 steals per game this year. He currently ranks 11th in the league in scoring, 16th in assists, and fifth in steals. Mavericks coach Dusty May praised his versatility, noting that Flagg affects the game in numerous ways and makes the right passing decisions for a player his age.
A key component of Flagg’s success is his efficiency around the basket. Standing at 6-foot-9, he uses his size and craft to finish at the rim with high precision. In Monday’s game, he demonstrated a variety of scoring methods, including dunks in transition, layups after backdoor cuts, and finishes out of pick-and-roll actions. According to Synergy Sports data, he takes six shots at the rim per game and is shooting 61.7% on those attempts. Among players with at least 50 rim attempts this season, he ranks 20th in efficiency.
His ability to get to the rim also drives his high volume at the free-throw line. Flagg is shooting 90.3% from the charity stripe, an elite mark that helps sustain his scoring. He is averaging 7.2 free throw attempts per game, a significant jump from his 4.9 per game as a rookie. He has already recorded three double-digit free throw attempt games this season, compared to just eight in his entire rookie year.
Flagg has also made significant improvements to his mid-range game, a focus of his offseason training. He stated that being comfortable in these spots allows him to manage his energy and reduce the physical toll of attacking the rim every possession. In Monday’s game, two clutch mid-range buckets late in the fourth quarter exemplified this development. He is shooting 25 of 42 on off-the-dribble two-point attempts this season, making him the most efficient player in the league in that category among those with at least 40 attempts.
While his inside and mid-range games are thriving, Flagg’s three-point shooting remains a work in progress. He is currently shooting 29.2% from beyond the arc, a slight dip from his 29.5% mark as a rookie. However, he maintains confidence in his shot, noting that he has worked on it extensively throughout the summer and last year. His 38.5% three-point percentage during his collegiate season at Duke suggests there is room for further growth in this area.
Coach May emphasized that Flagg’s ability to score from multiple areas makes him difficult to defend. By finishing at the rim, hitting mid-range jumpers, and getting to the free-throw line, Flagg puts up high scores without relying on a single aspect of his game. As he continues to refine his skills, his presence on the floor represents a significant advantage for the Mavericks as they navigate the early part of the season.
