Cooper Flagg's recent performances for the Dallas Mavericks have come with a sideline snack that has attracted attention of its own. After television cameras spotted him eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches during consecutive games, the second-year forward explained that the habit is part of his effort to gain weight and build muscle.
Flagg had finished his work early in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, with Dallas holding a comfortable advantage. Wearing his warmups and sitting beside teammate Daniel Gafford, he pulled a sandwich from a small plastic bag as the Mavericks moved toward a 130-93 win. Former Dallas guard Derek Harper noticed the snack on the television broadcast and remarked that it looked appetizing.
The scene followed a similar moment during Friday's 112-100 victory over the Utah Jazz, when cameras also caught Flagg eating a sandwich. He finished that game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Against Brooklyn, he recorded 25 points, five rebounds and a career-high 12 assists.
Asked about the sandwiches on Sunday, Flagg credited the Mavericks' strength and medical staff before discussing his nutritional requirements. With another game scheduled for Monday, he said he was trying to keep up with his calorie needs and prepare for the next contest. His preferred combination is smooth peanut butter with grape jelly, although he also likes peanut butter with banana and sometimes adds honey.
That alternative prompted a disagreement from Gafford, who joined Flagg at Sunday's postgame news conference. Gafford said he understood the combination of peanut butter, banana and honey, but was less convinced by a sandwich containing only peanut butter and banana. Mavericks legend and Amazon Prime analyst Dirk Nowitzki also weighed in on Flagg's eating habits, suggesting that players sometimes need a little sugar to keep going on the court.
Flagg followed those two victories with an even bigger scoring performance on Monday. He produced 43 points, 10 rebounds and six assists as Dallas defeated the Indiana Pacers 125-122, continuing what could become a breakout campaign.
He did not eat a sandwich during the Indiana game, but the subject returned afterward. Flagg told reporters he had intended to bring a peanut butter and jelly sandwich to the news conference and had forgotten it. He said he still planned to have one.
The sandwich tradition in the NBA stretches back to December 2007, when Kevin Garnett ate one before a Boston Celtics game and then played well. The routine spread to other players over the following years. Flagg has joined that tradition with his own variation, eating his sandwich while the game is still underway.
