In a stunning display of talent, 18-year-old Cooper Flagg has rewritten the NBA history books, becoming the youngest player ever to score 35 points in a single game. The Dallas Mavericks rookie achieved this monumental feat during his team's 114-110 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night.
A Record-Breaking Performance
Flagg, the top pick in this year's draft, delivered an extraordinary performance in his 20th career game, shooting an impressive 13 for 22 from the field. Beyond his historic scoring, the young phenom also secured eight rebounds, demonstrating his all-around capability on the court. He surpassed a record previously held by basketball legend LeBron James, who first scored 35 points at 18 years and 348 days old - five days older than Flagg was on Saturday.
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd expressed his amazement at the rookie's composure. "He's only 18 years old, but he seems like he's been in this league before," Kidd remarked. "He did it all tonight. He ran the offense for us, drove the ball, got to the rim, and made crucial free throws late in the game. His composure on both ends impressed me tremendously."
Building on Previous Success
This record-breaking game didn't emerge from nowhere. Just the night before, facing James's Lakers, Flagg had already made his mark by dishing out 11 assists - setting another NBA record for an 18-year-old. His veteran teammate, 35-year-old Klay Thompson, has become one of his biggest admirers.
"Cooper's upside is limitless," Thompson stated. "He has every tool to be great. Sometimes I can't believe he should be a freshman in college." Against the Clippers, Flagg's aggression was evident throughout, highlighted by a spectacular dunk over Ivica Zubac that showcased his fearlessness.
The rookie himself acknowledged his coach's guidance: "Being aggressive right now is obviously right for me, and that's what Coach has stressed to me. 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."
Team Effort Secures Victory
While Flagg's performance captured headlines, Thompson provided crucial support, particularly in the fourth quarter where he hit four three-pointers. His final long-distance shot put Dallas ahead for good with 1:51 remaining. Thompson finished with 23 points, with 17 coming in the decisive final quarter, shooting 6 of 10 from beyond the arc overall.
The Mavericks' victory snapped their three-game losing streak, while the Clippers suffered their fourth consecutive defeat. For Los Angeles, Kawhi Leonard led with 30 points and eight rebounds, while James Harden contributed 29 points, 11 assists, and eight boards. The Clippers, now 5-15 for the season, have lost seven straight home games at the Intuit Dome since their Halloween night victory over New Orleans.
The Mavericks, improving to 6-15, capitalized on their opponents' mistakes, scoring 20 points off 18 Clippers turnovers - a statistic that proved decisive in their hard-fought comeback win.
