Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg becomes first teen in NBA history to score 50 points in a game

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg etched his sanction into nan history books connected Friday.

Flagg, 19, became nan first teen successful NBA history to people complete 50 points successful a game, scoring 51 points during nan team’s 138-127 nonaccomplishment to nan Orlando Magic astatine nan American Airlines Center. While Flagg himself had a awesome game, for him, winning is his main focus.

"It’s ever nosy getting into that type of mode," Flagg said. "The handbasket feels big. My teammates are looking retired for you, helping you out. But I for illustration to win. That was my main focus. It’s difficult for maine to afloat bask myself retired location erstwhile we’re down 20, down 10, down 15, for nan mostly of nan game."

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Dallas Mavericks guardant Cooper Flagg watches from nan chair during nan 2nd 4th against nan Orlando Magic astatine nan American Airlines Center successful Dallas, Texas, connected April 3, 2026. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)

Flagg erupted for 24 points successful nan 4th fourth aft caput coach Jason Kidd and teammate Naji Marshall were ejected aft complaining astir a no-call connected nan No. 1 wide prime successful nan 2025 NBA Draft. Flagg appreciated nan support from his coach and teammates.

"It’s awesome to see," Flagg said. "I already cognize that coach has my backmost and Naji ... I cognize he has my backmost for judge retired there. Just seeing their emotion, seeing them conflict for maine and conflict for nan calls. Definitely immoderate emotion, and motivated maine moreover further."

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Dallas Mavericks caput coach Jason Kidd talks to referee Eric Lewis aft he was ejected successful nan 2nd half of an NBA crippled against nan Orlando Magic successful Dallas, Texas, connected April 3, 2026. (Tony Gutierrez/AP Photo)

The Mavericks were down 30 erstwhile Flagg started his fourth-quarter scoring barrage successful what ended up being their 14th consecutive location loss. It is nan longest location losing streak since nan Mavericks mislaid nan first 19 games astatine nan since-demolished Reunion Arena successful 1993-94.

Flagg, who successful 65 games this play has averaged 20.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, is successful a heated title pinch erstwhile Duke teammate and Charlotte Hornets guardant Kon Knueppel for Rookie of nan Year. Kidd believes Flagg should triumph nan award, comparing him to Michael Jordan.

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Dallas Mavericks guardant Cooper Flagg dunks nan shot past Orlando Magic halfway Wendell Carter Jr. during nan first 4th astatine nan American Airlines Center successful Dallas, Texas, connected April 3, 2026. (Jerome Miron/Imagn Images)

"He should beryllium rookie of nan year," Kidd said. "It’s unbelievable. The country’s not watching nan aforesaid point we get to watch connected a regular basis. He’s successful uncommon air. He’s pinch nan GOAT erstwhile you talk astir MJ and what he did successful his rookie year. And arsenic a teenager, to spot what Cooper’s doing, conscionable nan excitement, nan joy, playing nan game, triumph aliases lose, his spirit, is astir winning. Right now we’re not."

Flagg’s rookie play will proceed erstwhile nan Mavericks (24-53) big nan Los Angeles Lakers (50-27) connected Sunday astatine 7:30 p.m. ET.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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