SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – Cooper Flagg delivered a historic performance Monday night, scoring 42 points to set a new NBA record for the most points ever scored by an 18-year-old, but the milestone came in a painful 140-133 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz. Flagg surpassed the previous mark of 37 set by LeBron James in December 2003, yet the achievement brought little satisfaction as Dallas squandered a late lead and faltered in the extra period. Flagg also posted seven rebounds and six assists, becoming just the fifth rookie in the past 15 years to record at least 40 points, five rebounds, and five assists in a single game. He rolled his ankle late in regulation and sat after the game with ice wrapped around it, emphasizing that the loss overshadowed any personal accomplishment. Despite the setback, the rookie showcased his growing command of the game, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter and making a heads-up play in the closing seconds by intentionally missing a free throw, allowing a teammate to secure the rebound and force overtime.
The performance continued a strong stretch for the top overall draft pick, who has averaged 25.7 points over his last seven games while becoming increasingly aggressive attacking the basket and getting to the free-throw line. With Anthony Davis sidelined and several other Mavericks dealing with injuries, Flagg has taken on a larger offensive role and is quickly emerging as a central figure in Dallas’ attack. He tied Mark Aguirre for the most points ever scored by a rookie in franchise history, drawing praise from teammates and coaches who pointed to his poise, vision, and adaptability. Still, Flagg focused on the missed opportunities late, pointing to turnovers and failed executions as the Jazz closed regulation on an 11-0 run and controlled overtime, where he failed to score a field goal. While records continue to fall, Flagg made clear his priority remains steady improvement and turning individual growth into wins, viewing nights like this as steps in a longer process rather than moments to celebrate.
