Cooper Flagg just made NBA history at 18 years old, dropping a mind-blowing 42 points against the Utah Jazz Monday night. The Dallas Mavericks rookie became the youngest player ever to score 40+ points in an NBA game, breaking a record previously held by LeBron James, who scored 37 points at the same age during his 2003 rookie season.
The incredible performance came during a 140-133 overtime loss in Salt Lake City.
Flagg shot 13 of 27 from the field and knocked down 15 of 20 free throws, showing the kind of confidence you rarely see from a teenager. He didn’t just score either – he added seven rebounds, six assists, two blocks, and a steal in what might be the most complete game ever played by someone his age.
Breaking Records Left and Right
What makes this even more impressive? Flagg scored 40 of his 42 points during regulation time, making him the first 18-year-old to hit the 40-point mark without needing overtime.
LeBron had owned the previous record after scoring 37 against Boston and 36 against Philadelphia during his rookie campaign. Those performances had long been the gold standard for teenage scoring in the NBA.
Not anymore. Flagg now stands alone at the top.
This isn’t even his first record this season. Earlier this year, he became the youngest player to score 35 points in a game. Monday’s explosion just pushed that achievement to another level.
Cooper was absolutely on fire in the first half alone, racking up 24 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists against Utah.
Winning Comes First
Despite his historic night, Flagg wasn’t in a celebratory mood after the game.
“It’s tough for me to want to be happy about it if we didn’t win,” he said. “But obviously it’s a success.”
He also revealed he rolled his ankle late in regulation. But that didn’t stop him – he simply iced it and kept playing through overtime.
That’s the kind of toughness coaches love to see.
Rookie of the Year Race Heating Up
This performance definitely boosts Flagg’s Rookie of the Year campaign.
Only LeBron James and Kobe Bryant have scored more total points before turning 19. That’s some pretty elite company.
While the Mavs couldn’t pull out the win, the night marked a defining moment for their new franchise cornerstone. Flagg’s scoring ability, poise under pressure, and all-around game are proving that all the hype around him was justified.
Dallas now moves forward with the exciting reality that they have a teenager who’s already rewriting NBA history books.
