Cooper Flagg delivered a standout performance in the Dallas Mavericks' 134-128 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, scoring 45 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds. His performance broke a longstanding record set by LeBron James as a teenager and solidified his position in the NBA Rookie of the Year race.
LeBron James, who played against Flagg, praised Mavericks coach Jason Kidd for his decision to allow Flagg to play multiple positions, including point guard. James credited his own rookie development to similar coaching decisions by the late Paul Silas with the Cleveland Cavaliers. "Kidd early on got a little scrutinized because they started him at point guard at times, and I thought that was unfair," LeBron said. "I think it's great to put the ball in somebody's hands, so they can just go through the rough patches."
Flagg, who is averaging 20.8 points per game, has been a key contributor to the Mavericks' offense. His back-to-back 40-point games—including a 51-point performance against the Orlando Magic—have drawn comparisons to NBA legends like Allen Iverson. "I'm confident in myself, and I know what I'm capable of," Flagg told reporters. "I'll just let the rest of the stuff figure itself out."
Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd defended Flagg's versatility, noting his ability to play different positions and adapt to challenges. "He's never complained and has delivered for us," Kidd said. The win ended the Mavericks' longest home losing streak in 32 years, improving their record to 25-53.
LeBron James contributed 30 points, 15 assists, and nine rebounds for the Lakers, who were missing key players Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves due to injuries. Despite the loss, James acknowledged Flagg's impressive performance and the strategic decisions by Kidd.