Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg delivered a record-setting performance on Saturday night, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game as he powered the Mavericks to a 114–110 comeback win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 18-year-old top draft pick shot an efficient 13-for-22 from the field in what was only his 20th career game, while also collecting eight rebounds. Until now, the only 18-year-old to reach the 35-point mark was LeBron James, who first did so at 18 years and 348 days—five days older than Flagg was during his milestone night.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised the poise and versatility Flagg displayed throughout the game. “He’s only 18 years old, but he seems like he’s been in this league before,” Kidd said. “He did it all tonight. He had the ball… he ran the offense for us. He drove the ball… got to the rim, got to the free throw line, stepped up and made free throws for us late. Just his composure on both ends [impressed me]. He competes at a very high level.”
Flagg’s breakout followed another impressive outing the night before against LeBron James’s Lakers, where he handed out 11 assists—an NBA record for an 18-year-old. His veteran teammate Klay Thompson, 35, continues to be one of his strongest supporters. “Cooper’s upside is limitless,” Thompson said. “He has every tool to be great. Sometimes I can’t believe he should be a freshman in college.”
Aggression was a defining trait of Flagg’s performance against the Clippers, highlighted by a spectacular dunk over Ivica Zubac. “Being aggressive right now is obviously right for me, and that’s what Coach has stressed to me,” Flagg said. “I’ve got to be aggressive, and we’ll live with some of the mistakes, but you just have to be aggressive and trust all the work.”
Thompson also made a major impact down the stretch, hitting four three-pointers in the fourth quarter. His final long-range shot with 1:51 remaining gave Dallas the lead for good. He finished with 23 points, including 17 in the final quarter, lifting the Mavericks out of a three-game skid.
Despite strong performances from the Clippers—Kawhi Leonard with 30 points and eight rebounds, James Harden with 29 points, 11 assists, and eight boards, plus solid outings from John Collins and Zubac—the team fell to its fourth straight loss. Los Angeles (5–15) has now dropped seven consecutive games at the Intuit Dome. Dallas (6–15), meanwhile, capitalized on 18 Clippers turnovers, scoring 20 points off those mistakes to secure a much-needed victory.
