Everything Cooper Flagg Said About Facing Lakers' LeBron James, Historic Performances for Mavs
Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg reflected on what it is like to join the ranks of NBA icons like LeBron James after a historic 45-point outing against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Flagg became the first rookie since Allen Iverson to record back-to-back 40-point games, and passed LeBron James for the most 40-point games as a teenager, during Sunday night's 134-128 Mavericks win.
"I was a little kid, watching him go through his whole career," Flagg said after Sunday's win. "So it's really impressive, first of all, just to watch him and see him be able to do things that he's still able to do out there.
"It's a dream come true. These are the moments, these are the times. Trying to match up against somebody like that, the career he's had. Obviously, he's one of the greatest. So, it's incredible."
Flagg went into Sunday riding the momentum of a career-high 51 points during the Mavericks' Friday loss to the Orlando Magic.
Flagg finished the Mavericks' Sunday win with 45 points on 14-for-27 shooting from the field while adding nine assists and eight rebounds.
James, who was playing for a Lakers team missing Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves due to injuries, posted a 30-point, 15-assist double-double in the loss.
When asked after the game if he thought his play had helped James reach another level, Flagg answered, "I don't know if it came from me, but that's just what he's been doing. He's been doing that all year long, still. Being athletic, playing in transition. It's really impressive."
Monday night's win marked the first time the Mavericks, who were eliminated from playoff contention two weeks ago, have won at home since Jan. 22.
"We haven't given them a ton to show up and be excited for, but hopefully now we'll give them something to look forward into the future," Flagg said about Mavericks fans after the win.
The Mavericks currently have top-eight odds at earning the eighth overall pick in the 2026 draft, per Tankathon.
The Mavs are most likely to pick at No. 8 or No. 9, per Tankathon, although the franchise notably had just a 1.8 percent chance to win the 2025 draft before securing the chance to draft Flagg with the top pick in the last lottery.
Whichever pick the Mavericks end up with after the lottery takes place May 10, the franchise will hope adding a top rookie alongside Flagg and a hopefully healthy Kyrie Irving will lead to a more competitive 2026-27 season.
