History was made Monday night as Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered a career performance, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game.The Newport native surpassed LeBron James’ previous mark, setting the record during a 114–110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.The highlight of Flagg’s night came on a powerful two-hand dunk over Clippers center Ivica Zubac, an All-Defensive selection last season. The 18-year-old finished 13-of-22 from the field and added several key buckets down the stretch to secure the victory.The milestone comes less than 48 hours after another historic outing. On Friday, Flagg dished out 11 assists in a loss to the Lakers — the most ever by an 18-year-old in an NBA game.Asked about his back-to-back record-setting performances, Flagg credited the people around him.“I mean obviously, you know, it’s an honor, it’s pretty cool to be in this position, and I just feel blessed, you know just to, you know, have this opportunity to be here in this league and play through it and be able to do things like that, and have incredible teammates and coaches around me that put me in positions to do this,” Flagg said.Flagg and the Mavericks continue their West Coast road on Monday when they visit Denver to take on the Nuggets.
LOS ANGELES —
History was made Monday night as Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg delivered a career performance, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to score 35 points in a game.
The Newport native surpassed LeBron James’ previous mark, setting the record during a 114–110 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The highlight of Flagg’s night came on a powerful two-hand dunk over Clippers center Ivica Zubac, an All-Defensive selection last season. The 18-year-old finished 13-of-22 from the field and added several key buckets down the stretch to secure the victory.
The milestone comes less than 48 hours after another historic outing. On Friday, Flagg dished out 11 assists in a loss to the Lakers — the most ever by an 18-year-old in an NBA game.
Asked about his back-to-back record-setting performances, Flagg credited the people around him.
“I mean obviously, you know, it’s an honor, it’s pretty cool to be in this position, and I just feel blessed, you know just to, you know, have this opportunity to be here in this league and play through it and be able to do things like that, and have incredible teammates and coaches around me that put me in positions to do this,” Flagg said.
Flagg and the Mavericks continue their West Coast road on Monday when they visit Denver to take on the Nuggets.