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Cooper Flagg signaled he may be more than a promising rookie in the Dallas Mavericks’ 114-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. The 18-year-old’s career-best night turned heads and prompted veteran Klay Thompson to draw an unexpected comparison to Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott.
Flagg’s season-high performance and historic stat line
The rookie delivered a season-high 35 points on 13-of-22 shooting. He also hauled in eight rebounds and dished two assists.
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- Points: 35 (season high)
- Field goals: 13-22
- Rebounds: 8
- Assists: 2
- Free-throw attempts: 11
By reaching 30 points at 18 years old, Flagg became the second-youngest player in NBA history to do so. Only LeBron James was younger when he first scored 30.
Why Klay Thompson mentioned Kobe Bryant and Byron Scott
Thompson said Flagg’s trajectory reminded him of old footage of Byron Scott predicting Kobe’s greatness at the same age. He stopped short of saying Flagg will become Kobe.
Instead, Thompson compared himself to Scott: an experienced veteran watching a future star emerge. He emphasized how rare it is to witness a young player take such strides so early.
Thompson framed the moment as a front-row seat to what could be a long, impactful career for Flagg.
Jason Kidd’s view: maturity and aggression
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd praised Flagg for more than scoring. Kidd spotlighted his aggression attacking the rim.
He noted the rookie set the tone for much of the contest and stayed active for nearly the full game. Kidd also pointed to Flagg’s ability to create for teammates and make key defensive plays.
Immediate implications for Dallas’ season and next steps
The Mavericks sit at 6-15 as they look to build momentum. Dallas now eyes the Denver Nuggets for their next challenge.
- Flagg’s breakthrough adds optimism to a young roster.
- Coaching staff and veterans will likely keep leaning on him in high-leverage moments.
- How the team balances development and winning will shape the coming weeks.
