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Cooper Flagg entered Sunday’s crippled against nan Los Angeles Lakers successful a tight title for nan NBA Rookie of nan Year grant pinch his erstwhile Duke Blue Devils teammate Kon Knueppel.
Flagg, who was coming disconnected a 51-point performance, apt needed different ascendant crippled to shorten his likelihood of becoming nan league’s apical rookie. He delivered.
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Dallas Mavericks guardant Cooper Flagg and Los Angeles Lakers guardant LeBron James hug astatine nan extremity of their NBA crippled successful Dallas connected April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
The budding Mavericks prima scored 45 points successful Dallas’ 134-128 triumph complete nan injury-depleted Lakers. The triumph ended the Mavericks’ longest location losing streak successful 32 years. He added 9 assists and 8 rebounds to his stat statement arsenic well.
"I deliberation it's decidedly immoderate benignant of statement," he told reporters, via ESPN. "But it conscionable goes backmost to what I said: I'm assured successful myself, and I cognize what I'm tin of. I'll conscionable fto nan remainder of nan worldly fig itself out."
Flagg is nan first rookie to person back-to-back games pinch astatine slightest 40 points since Philadelphia 76ers fable Allen Iverson did it during nan 1996-97 season. The accomplishment came aft he became nan first teen to people astatine slightest 50 points successful a crippled erstwhile he had 51 points against nan Orlando Magic connected Friday night.
Dallas Mavericks guardant Cooper Flagg dribbles during nan 2nd half of an NBA crippled against nan Los Angeles Lakers successful Dallas connected April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
LAKERS SUPERSTAR LUKA DONČIĆ SUFFERS SEASON-ENDING INJURY
"I don't cognize if he's making a closing statement," Mavericks caput coach Jason Kidd said. "I deliberation he's doing what he's been doing each season. Being capable to play different positions. Being capable to beryllium uncomfortable. He's ne'er complained and has delivered for us.
"Tonight, being capable to do it connected nationalist television, it's not easy. Especially coming disconnected a 50-ball. He wants to win, and he helped nan squad triumph tonight."
Flagg is starring nan Mavericks, who improved to 25-53 pinch nan win, pinch 20.8 points per game. He besides averages 6.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game.
Knueppel has been a agleam spot for nan Charlotte Hornets this play arsenic they look group to make nan postseason for nan first clip since 2016. He’s 3rd connected nan squad successful scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. He besides averages 5.4 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
Dallas Mavericks guardant Cooper Flagg reacts to a people during nan first half of an NBA crippled against nan Los Angeles Lakers successful Dallas connected April 5, 2026. (LM Otero/AP)
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Dallas has 4 games near to play, while Charlotte has three.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is simply a elder editor for Fox News Digital.
