Cooper Flagg is starting to feel at home in the NBA. The schedule is relentless, the travel unforgiving and the physical toll unavoidable, but the game itself is slowing down for the Dallas Mavericks’ No. 1 overall pick. As the season progresses, Flagg has grown more comfortable navigating the league’s pace — even if the attention surrounding him still takes some getting used to.

That attention often includes comparisons to some of the greatest rookie seasons in NBA history, a reality that still gives the 18-year-old pause.

“It’s incredible,” Flagg said Tuesday. “It makes me feel really blessed to be in this position and for everything to happen the way it did, coming here at this point in my life. I would have never imagined any of this when I was younger.

“It’s just a dream come true. I just feel so blessed and grateful to be here and be surrounded by great people.”

Handling Expectations Beyond His Years

Flagg has remained notably grounded despite the historic context that follows him. Teenage No. 1 picks who immediately shoulder franchise expectations remain rare, placing him in an exclusive group that includes LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Victor Wembanyama.

Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd has seen enough to be impressed, even as he resists rushing to judgment.

“The No. 1 pick, he’s lived up to all the hype,” Kidd said. “He understands how to play the game. To rank him with some of the other rookies I’ve been around, we’ll wait until the end of the season.”

What stands out most to Kidd is not just Flagg’s production, but how he has handled the grind of an NBA season — something that can overwhelm young players.

“Back-to-backs, it’s a lot of basketball – it’s a little bit different than college,” Kidd said. “His growth, being able to bounce back if he doesn’t have a great game (is impressive). The minutes, the physicality, absorbing everything right now as he continues to go up.”

Cooper Flagg is Adjusting to the Physical Toll

For Flagg, the transition has been both mental and physical. The frequency of games and travel has presented one of his steepest learning curves.

“I’m just getting comfortable, growing and learning the pace and speed of the game and getting comfortable with being myself out there and picking apart defenses and knowing the game at a high level,” Flagg said. “The biggest challenge? I’d say physically, the amount of games we play, traveling a lot more. It’s just different.”

That challenge has been amplified by a lingering right thumb injury that has required Flagg to wear a splint during games and practices. The issue has kept him on the injury report, but not off the court. Flagg has played in 24 of the Mavericks’ 25 games.

“I don’t know if I’d say 100 percent,” Flagg said. “I feel healthy for sure. I’m good to go. But obviously, with the amount of games we play, there’s always going to be nagging things… that’s just part of being mentally and physically tough and playing through some of that stuff.”

With a rare extended break between games, Flagg welcomed the opportunity to recover.

“Actually getting off my feet and just chilling,” he said. “Working with the medical staff, I’m picking my spots when I want to get my work in and when I’m on the court.”

Production Fueling the Dallas Mavericks’ Momentum

As Flagg has settled in, the Mavericks have begun to climb.

Dallas has won four of its last five games after a 4–12 start, moving into 11th place in the Western Conference and within reach of the play-in picture. The turnaround has coincided with improved defensive play, steadier guard play, and increased confidence throughout the rotation.

Flagg has played a pivotal role. He has scored 19 or more points in four of the last five games and is averaging 17.3 points and 6.3 rebounds while shooting 47.5 percent from the field.

“He’s making strides,” P.J. Washington said. “Each and every day he’s learning. He’s putting in the work and obviously he’s going to be a great player in this league.”

Anthony Davis has noticed Flagg’s growing comfort as defenses increasingly focus on him.

“He’s playing free,” Davis said. “He’s starting to figure out how to play against the pressure and where his spots are on the floor. He wants to be held accountable, he wants to be great and he’s going to continue to learn.”

For Flagg, the comparisons can wait. The growth, he knows, is happening one possession at a time.

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