Mavericks' rookie Cooper Flagg sets NBA teenage scoring record in 5th straight loss to Celtics

Dallas Mavericks rookie Cooper Flagg just made another NBA record on Tuesday night by becoming the first teenager to drop three consecutive 30-point games. Despite Flagg’s 36-point outburst, the Dallas Mavericks fell 100-110 to the visiting Boston Celtics at the American Airlines Center. The 19-year-old phenom continues to rewrite the rookie record books, surpassing various rookie records set by LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Flagg’s historic night against the Celtics saw him clock in 37 minutes on the court, while finishing the match with 36 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks. He also shot at an efficiency of 50.0%, converting 12-of-24 from the field and 2-of-4 from three-point range. While the Mavericks are struggling with a five-game losing streak, Flagg’s individual brilliance as a teenager on the court continues to reach unprecedented heights. Flagg’s current scoring tear with 20.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and a 48.4% efficiency from the field is statistically among the greatest rookie spans in NBA’s history. In his last three outings, Flagg has averaged a staggering 39.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. This stretch of staggering performances began with Flagg’s career-high of 49 points against the Charlotte Hornets on January 29, followed by a 34-point double-double against the Houston Rockets, and the recent 36 points against the Boston Celtics. During the last three-game window, Flagg also showcased an elite shooting efficiency, 57.7% from the floor, 46.2% from beyond the arc, and 85.2% from the free-throw line.The Mavericks’ front office’s intention since winning the draft lottery despite the 1.8% chance has been clear: draft Duke’s Cooper Flagg and build a contender-worthy team around him. Since getting drafted, Copper’s need on the court increased exponentially as the Mavericks navigated through the injuries of their veteran core. With Kyrie Irving still recovering from a long-term ACL injury and Anthony Davis sidelined with a hand injury since early January, the No. 1 overall pick has effectively transitioned into the focal point of the Dallas offense. But with a 6-foot-9 height and 7-foot wingspan, Flagg’s impact is not just limited to scoring. He led the Mavericks in both total points (926) and steals per game (1.2). Following Tuesday's loss to Boston, Dallas head coach Jason Kidd said, “Cooper was incredible,” while also highlighting his impressive scoring ability and playmaking skills for his teammates.