Former No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg etched his name in history once again.
The Dallas Mavericks rookie became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 50-point game at 19 years and 103 days old, posting 51 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in a 138-127 loss to the Orlando Magic.
He is the first teenager in league history to record a 50-point game.
Following the historic performance, Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd heaped praise on the rookie, comparing him to basketball icon Michael Jordan:
“He should be Rookie of the Year. It’s unbelievable, the country is not watching the same thing that we get to watch on a daily basis,” Kidd told reporters on Friday. “The things that he’s done, he’s in rare air. He’s with the GOAT when you talk about MJ and what he did in his rookie year, and as a teenager.”
Overall, Flagg is the ninth rookie in NBA history to post a 50-point game, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Rick Barry, Earl Monroe, Brandon Jennings, Elgin Baylor, Elvin Hayes, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Allen Iverson.
Flagg’s previous career high was 49 points, which was also the previous high in NBA history for a teenager. Notably, Flagg could break the record again, as he doesn’t turn 20 until Dec. 21.
Does Flagg’s 50-Point Gem Swing the ROY Race?
GettyCooper Flagg is in the running for Rookie of the Year
Entering the season, Flagg was a massive favorite to win Rookie of the Year.
Not only was he the No. 1 pick last summer, but the former Duke standout figured to get a ton of usage during his rookie campaign.
With Luka Doncic traded away to the Los Angeles Lakers, the Mavericks drafted Flagg to fill its franchise player vacancy.
To win the coveted award, Flagg will have beat out his former Duke teammate, Kon Knueppel, who is enjoying a stellar rookie season in Charlotte.
Knueppel earned Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors for four consecutive months to begin his career. He is the first player in Hornets history to win Rookie of the Month four times and the first NBA player to do so since Paolo Banchero in 2022-23.
His sharpshooting has been a huge boon for Charlotte, who is on the cusp of their first playoff berth since 2015.
Flagg, meanwhile, has been more statistically productive across the board for a comparatively depleted Mavericks team.
Flagg Could Split Award With Former College Roomie
GettyMavs head coach Jason Kidd won Co-Rookie of the Year in 1994
Despite playing in 11 fewer games this season, one could argue that Flagg has been the more impactful rookie. The talented forward has flashed an ability to takeover games that Knueppel has not yet shown.
Although his odds to win Rookie of the Year has dipped since the beginning of the season, a 50-point showing could swing things back in favor of Flagg.
Perhaps Flagg could follow in the footsteps of his head coach Jason Kidd, who was named Co-Rookie of the Year alongside Grant Hill in 1994.
“I’d love to see another co-Rookie of the Year like we did back in the days with Grant Hill and J-Kidd,” Nowitzki said at a charity event. “Both had an incredible year. To me, when it’s all said and done, [Flagg] has a higher ceiling. I wish we could give it to both.”
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