In a stunning display of talent that has sent shockwaves through the basketball world, 18-year-old rookie Cooper Flagg has rewritten the NBA history books by becoming the youngest player ever to score 35 points in a single game.
A Historic Night for the Rookie
The basketball phenom achieved this remarkable feat during the Dallas Mavericks' 114-110 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. Flagg's extraordinary performance saw him connect on 13 of his 22 field goal attempts while also pulling down eight rebounds in what was only his 20th career NBA appearance.
This achievement places him ahead of basketball legend LeBron James, who previously held the record for the youngest player to reach 35 points. James first achieved this milestone when he was 18 years and 348 days old, making him five days older than Flagg was during his record-breaking game.
Teammates and Coach in Awe
Mavericks coach Jason Kidd expressed amazement at his young star's capabilities. "He's only 18 years old, but he seems like he's been in this league before," Kidd remarked. "He did it all tonight. He had the ball. You can call it point guard or whatever, but he ran the offense for us. He drove the ball. The ball touched the paint. He got to the rim, got to the free throw line, stepped up and made free throws for us late. Just his composure on both ends impressed me. He competes at a very high level."
The rookie's impressive form wasn't limited to this single game. During Friday's matchup against the Lakers, Flagg dished out 11 assists, setting another NBA record for an 18-year-old player.
Veteran teammate Klay Thompson, who himself contributed significantly to the victory with 23 points including four crucial fourth-quarter three-pointers, shared his admiration for the young phenomenon. "Cooper's upside is limitless," Thompson stated. "He has every tool to be great. Sometimes I can't believe he should be a freshman in college."
Seizing the Moment
Flagg's aggressive approach throughout the Clippers game proved decisive, highlighted by a spectacular dunk over Ivica Zubac that demonstrated both his confidence and athletic prowess.
"Being aggressive right now is obviously right for me, and that's what Coach has stressed to me," Flagg explained after the game. "I've got to be aggressive, and we'll live with some of the mistakes, but you just have to be aggressive and trust all the work."
The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for the Mavericks, who improved their record to 6-15. Thompson's late-game heroics, particularly his three-pointer that put Dallas ahead for good with 1:51 remaining, complemented Flagg's historic performance perfectly.
Despite strong showings from Kawhi Leonard, who led Los Angeles with 30 points and eight rebounds, and James Harden's 29 points, 11 assists and eight boards, the Clippers suffered their fourth consecutive defeat, dropping to 5-15 for the season.
