The 19-year-old scored 51 points Friday, topping his previous NBA career high of 49 set on Jan. 29.

DALLAS — Cooper Flagg set a new NBA record Friday, becoming the first teenager to score 50 points or more in a game. 

Despite a 123-121 loss to the Orlando Magic, 19-year-old Flagg scored 51 points, topping his previous NBA career high of 49 set on Jan. 29. 

Flagg was the No. 1 NBA draft pick last year at just 18 years old, coming out of his record-breaking freshman season at Duke. He was selected by the Dallas Mavericks. 

Flagg was born in Newport, Maine, and is a twin. His brother, Ace, plays for the University of Maine men’s basketball team. 

During the game Friday, Flagg scored 24 points in the fourth quarter alone, after coach Jason Kidd and forward Naji Marshall were ejected from the game for allegedly complaining about what they thought was a no-call when Desmond Bane fouled Flagg. 

51 POINTS FOR COOPER FLAGG.

FIRST TEENAGER TO SCORE 50 IN AN NBA GAME 🚨 pic.twitter.com/kaZiyOTczI

— NBA (@NBA) April 4, 2026

The Mavericks were down 30 when Flagg started his fourth-quarter scoring barrage in what ended up being their 14th consecutive home loss. It’s the longest home losing streak since Dallas lost the first 19 games at since-demolished Reunion Arena in 1993-94.

“It’s always fun getting into that type of mode,” Flagg said. “The basket feels big. My teammates are looking out for you, helping you out. But I like to win. That was my main focus. It’s hard for me to fully enjoy myself out there when we’re down 20, down 10, down 15, for the majority of the game.”

Flagg said he thought it was obvious Bane had fouled him in the opening two minutes of the fourth.

“I think it was warranted,” Flagg said about Kidd’s reaction. “I’m not going to lie. I talked to Bane after the play, and he told me he was intentionally trying to foul me. I honestly don’t know how they didn’t see that. Obviously, they must not have had the right view, or they weren’t paying attention. But they missed it.”

Kidd said there was “a lot of excitement in the back” as he watched Flagg with a TV delay, hearing the crowd reaction before the buckets as the former Duke standout was 8 of 12 from the field and 4 of 6 from deep in the fourth.

Flagg is in contention for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.