Despite a 140-133 loss in OT to the Jazz, Mavericks fans should be excited about the future. In a game where the team was without several top players, rookie Cooper Flagg almost willed the team to victory.
Dallas was on the road Monday evening to face Utah. First overall pick Cooper Flagg had the most dominant performance of his young NBA career. His 42 points are the most by a rookie in NBA history. Passing LeBron James’ mark of 37 points set on December 13, 2003. Flagg also added seven rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Cooper Flagg continues to set rookie records in 2025-26
COOPER FLAGG SCORES THE MOST POINTS EVER BY AN 18-YEAR-OLD IN NBA HISTORY!!!
42 PTS (career high)
7 REB
6 AST
2 BLK pic.twitter.com/oCXzgiKiG7— NBA (@NBA) December 16, 2025
Against the Jazz on Monday, rookie Cooper Flagg did what he could to get Dallas a win. The team was without the services of Anthony Davis. Flagg led all scorers in Monday’s matchup with 42 points. Unfortunately, it was not enough to secure a win. Dallas fell 140-133 to the Jazz. Cooper Flagg told reporters it’s tough to be “happy” about a career-high 43 points when the team lost. That speaks to his competitive nature.
With 42 points vs. Utah, Copper Flagg etched his name in the history books. He now has the most points scored by an 18-year-old in NBA history. Additionally, he joins LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the only teenagers with 40 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Flagg did this six days before his 19th birthday.
Cooper Flagg on his career-high 42 points:
“It’s tough. I want to look at it [in] wins and losses. Obviously we didn’t win. It’s tough for me to want to be happy, but obviously it’s a success and we’re going to try to keep getting better from here.”
pic.twitter.com/jXwqz2pyob— Cooper Flagg Muse (@CooperFMuse) December 16, 2025
For the 2025-26 season, Cooper Flagg is averaging 18.4 points per game for Dallas. Over his last seven, the #1 overall pick is averaging 25.7 points per game. The rookie is learning how to play aggressively in the NBA. He displayed that on Monday night by going 15-20 from the free-throw line. Forward PJ Washington said Cooper Flagg is a “special player” and is not surprised by what we’re seeing from the rookie.
In terms of team success, the Mavericks could fall short of their goals in 2025-26. However, Cooper Flagg has proved to be worth every bit of the #1 pick. The 18-year-old has set several rookie records through the first two months of his NBA career. He’s proven to be the centerpiece of Dallas’ offense this season. Cooper Flagg said he is “getting more and more comfortable.” With the rate and efficiency at which he scores, Flagg could have a 50-point game as a rookie.
