Cooper Flagg knew exactly what his team needed as soon as it lost yet another member of the starting lineup to an injury just minutes before the national anthem.
The Mavericks needed his best scoring night since entering the NBA. And he delivered with his best.
Flagg dominated on the offensive end in Saturday’s win over the Los Angeles Clippers and scored a career-high 35 points to become the youngest player in NBA history to do so. That point total also stands as the most by any rookie this season, eclipsing VJ Edgecombe’s 34 points.
“It’s an honor,” Flagg said. “It’s pretty cool to be in this position and I just feel blessed just to have this opportunity to be here in this league. … I have incredible teammates and coaches around me who put me in positions to do this.”
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd said Flagg set the tone from the moment the ball was tipped. He excelled in the midrange. Whether it was a pullup jumper or fadeaway, Flagg connected from early and often.
If it wasn’t a dribble pullup or a layup at the rim, it was at the free throw line, where he made 9 of 11. Those freebies came in handy during the fourth quarter, when he made 7 of 8.
“He did it all tonight,” Kidd said. “He’s only 18 years old, but he seems like he’s been in this league before.”
James Harden, Kawhi Leonard and Klay Thompson each possess multiple All-Star appearances and will someday have their careers memorialized in the Hall of Fame. They all produced vintage performances Saturday, but the 18-year-old rookie inserted himself into the spotlight they’ve occupied for more than a decade.
As soon as Thompson sat down at the podium for his postgame news conference, he smiled at the sheet of paper that displayed the box score. Of course he was happy about his 23 points and six 3-pointers. But he was even more impressed with Flagg’s assertiveness, especially on the second night of a back-to-back.
“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.”
Flagg is known for his versatile skill set and his ability to do anything on the court. He can score in a variety of ways. He reached his career high without making a single 3-pointer, the area with the most room for improvement. He can defend multiple positions on or away from the ball.
His athleticism was on display yet again in the third quarter when he muscled his way into the paint and threw down a two-handed slam over Ivica Zubac.
“That dunk he had over Zubac was probably one of the few best dunks he’s had all year, so you see his potential as an NBA superstar,” Thompson said.
The Mavericks haven’t had the luxury of having their superstars healthy this season. Kyrie Irving, who watched Flagg’s masterpiece from the bench, is recovering from ACL surgery.
Anthony Davis has missed 15 of the team’s 21 games because of his left calf.
Flagg’s path should’ve been different. He was supposed to have the on-court support of his future Hall of Fame teammates to alleviate the pressure that typically comes with being the No. 1 pick. But perhaps not having his All-Star teammates has expedited his comfort in a role he’ll one day have on a nightly basis.
Flagg’s 68 clutch minutes lead the NBA, which tracks because Dallas played its 16th clutch game on Saturday through 21 contests. He’s found himself in the NBA’s most intense situations, almost on a nightly basis.
It’s a reality he accepts, especially on nights when the Mavericks are without Irving, Davis, and in Saturday’s case, P.J. Washington.
“I don’t feel any added pressure,” Flagg said. “I think I just feel like it’s how it is. It’s our team. Each individual night it could be somebody else’s. … Being aggressive right now is obviously right for me and that’s what coach has stressed to me.”
Flagg, who doesn’t turn 19 until Dec. 21, is the youngest player on the Mavericks. Thompson, 35, is the oldest. The veteran sharpshooter has often said he wanted to mentor Flagg during what he described as “the last chapter of my career.”
During his postgame comments, Thompson referenced a video clip of Bryon Scott foreshadowing the greatness of the late Kobe Bryant.
“I’m not saying he’s going to be Kobe, but I remember this clip of Byron Scott looking in the camera talking about how great Kobe’s going to be when he was 18 years old.” Thompson said.
“I feel like B-Scott sometimes. The old, wise veteran that has the future of the franchise to my side. It’s pretty cool to be a part of and we’re all going to be witnesses to what he’s going to do for a long time.”
Flagg’s career high during his lone season at Duke was 42 points, which he scored against Notre Dame on Jan. 11 of this year. Roughly 10 months later, he’s found himself reaching scoring feats as an 18-year-old that only LeBron James has accomplished. Fitting since the two faced each other for the first time Friday night.
Does he think of himself as a scorer?
“I see myself as an impact player,” Flagg said. “Scoring is part of impacting the game. I think I can score at a high level, for sure.”
Flagg didn’t have to admit to it with his words. His historic performance on Saturday night did enough talking.
Story by Mike Curtis, The Dallas Morning News.
