Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg scored 49 points in a 123-121 loss to the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night, setting an NBA record for most points by a teenager. The 19-year-old surpassed the previous mark of 45 set by Cliff Robinson in 1980, and also broke the franchise rookie scoring record he had shared with Mark Aguirre, whose jersey was retired at halftime.
Flagg, the No 1 draft pick from Duke, shot 1 for 4 in the first quarter as Dallas fell behind by 15 points. He then erupted in the second period, hitting 8 of 9 shots including two three-pointers and five free throws, scoring 23 points in the quarter. His 25 points at halftime were the most by a Maverick in any half this season.
The game also featured a reunion with former Duke teammate Kon Knueppel, drafted fourth by Charlotte. Knueppel scored a career-high 34 points, including eight three-pointers, and made the winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left after being fouled by Flagg. 'Cooper, he played like the best player we’ve played all season,' Knueppel said.
Flagg's previous high of 42 points also came in a defeat, as did Aguirre's rookie record of 42 in 1981. 'You saw history,' Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said. 'To have Mark in the building and break his record was pretty special.' The two rookies, leading candidates for Rookie of the Year, will meet again on 3 March in Charlotte.
