Mike Curtis: Cooper Flagg was asked about Friday’s upcoming game against the Lakers/Luka Doncic & if it means anything to him: “I would say to me, it’s another game. I know there’s gonna be a lot of other things that go into that game & through a lot of these guys’ mindsets & whatnot. For me, it’s just another game. I’m trying to survive day by day, take everything one day at a time, one game at at time. Right now, we’re just trying to find ways to win.”
But Cooper Flagg was all smiles when he exchanged a hug with Queen after the buzzer Friday night, as the No. 1 pick had just scored 12 of his career-high 29 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Mavs to a 118-115 comeback win at the American Airlines Center. On this occasion, it was Queen who missed with an opportunity to tie the score in the final seconds, airballing a 3-pointer on the Pelicans’ final possession. It was a rough finish to an otherwise phenomenal performance for Queen, who had 20 points, seven rebounds and a career-high 11 assists. “I [saw] him laugh at me,” Queen said of his postgame meeting with Flagg, his former teammate at Montverde Academy in Florida. “That’s probably what he was laughing at, but yo, that’s crazy. Full circle.” ESPN | Nov. 22, 2025
Taking his coach’s advice, Flagg didn’t settle for jump shots. He slashed into the paint and used his size to get shots up over the defense. It was a winning formula. “His size is unbelievable for an 18-year-old,” Mavericks guard Max Christie said about Flagg. “His ability to use that to his advantage against smaller defenders and even the same size as him. His ability to bump, his touch around the rim. He made some timely baskets for us. We are looking forward to him continuing to do that for us.” New York Times | Nov. 22, 2025
Grant Afseth: Dallas Mavericks Injury Report vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Cooper Flagg: Available (Right Thumb Splint) D’Angelo Russell: Questionable (Illness) Ryan Nembhard: Doubtful (Left Knee Sprain) Anthony Davis: Out (Left Calf Strain) Dereck Lively II: Out (Right Knee Injury Management) Danté Exum: Out (Right Knee Injury Management) Kyrie Irving: Out (Left Knee Surgery) x.com | Nov. 22, 2025
What is the approach about Kyrie? Shams Charania: Teams are actually sniffing around Kyrie Irving: His availability on the court, potentially trade-wise, and his playing status the rest of the season. But my understanding is the Mavericks have made it clear privately that they want Kyrie Irving as a complete part of their future moving forward. He’s still in recovery and rehab from that ACL tear from March. He signed a three-year deal in the offseason, but the Mavericks value his leadership on the court, off the court, and his fit with Cooper Flagg. Cooper Flagg is going to need a point guard whenever he’s ready to be back out on the court, and you just see right now how much this team misses Kyrie Irving some of these close games that they’ve had. And that’s the difference, though, between the Kyrie Irving situation the Anthony Davis situation. They are listening to potential trade calls on Anthony Davis, but with Kyrie Irving, they want him a part of their future moving forward. Instagram | Nov. 21, 2025
Marc Stein: The Mavericks say Cooper Flagg will be available to play Friday at home against New Orleans after the rookie missed Wednesday’s home loss to New York due to illness. Flagg had already been playing through recent thumb and shoulder injuries. x.com | Nov. 20, 2025
The Dallas Mavericks have downgraded Cooper Flagg (illness) and Caleb Martin (illness) to questionable for Wednesday’s game against New York. HoopsHype | Nov. 19, 2025
NBA on ESPN: Breaking: Cooper Flagg will miss his first career NBA game against the Knicks due to an illness, sources tell @ShamsCharania . x.com | Nov. 19, 2025
Tim MacMahon: Cooper Flagg put up a 21-point, 8-rebound, 5-assist, 2-block, 1-steal line in Mavs’ OT win. No 18-year-old has matched or exceeded all those numbers in an NBA game. Take away blocks and only LeBron James (3 times) has done it, per @Stathead . x.com | Nov. 17, 2025